A United States Marine has died in Australia after succumbing to injuries received during a training accident, the force’s commanding officer said Wednesday, May 29.
Lance Corporal Hans Sandoval-Pereyra was injured during a tactical vehicle accident during the drill on Saturday near the northern Australia regional hub of Darwin.
He was airlifted to hospital but was unable to be saved.
Thousands of U.S. Marines have passed through the rotation in Darwin since 2012, in an annual arrangement between long-time defense allies Washington and Canberra.
Commanding officer for the rotation in Darwin, Colonel Russ Boyce, said the Marine Corps was saddened by the loss of 21-year-old Sandoval-Pereyra.
Sandoval-Pereyra was a Expeditionary Airfield Systems Technician assigned to the Aviation Combat Element for Marine Rotational Force – Darwin.
“He was a beloved member of our community and our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends,” Boyce said.
“We are extremely grateful to our Australian partners for their valiant efforts to save this young marine’s life.”
A fellow marine received minor injuries during the accident but has since been released from hospital. An investigation is under way.
With reporting from AFP
