Accident reported at West Point Academy
The incident took place within the vicinity of the Camp Natural Bridge Training Center. No details have been released as to the nature of the accident.
At least one West Point military cadet was killed on Thursday morning after a multi-vehicle accident near the U.S. Military Academy, a U.S. defense official confirmed to Fox News.
Around 6:45 a.m., a 5-ton truck with roughly 20 cadets and some U.S. Army soldiers aboard overturned during summer training near the Camp Natural Bridge facility in upstate New York, officials said.
In addition to the cadet killed, 19 cadets and two Army soldiers were wounded in the crash, which unfolded off Route 293, and were rushed to nearby hospitals.
New York State Police troopers were assisting West Point personnel responding to the accident, which comes nearly two weeks after Vice President Mike Pence spoke at West Point’s graduation ceremony.
Each summer, thousands of West Point cadets take part in summer military training on the sprawling 16,000-acre campus of West Point, and each year roughly 1,000 cadets are commissioned as U.S. Army officers upon graduation from the U.S. Military Academy, which was founded in 1802.
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President Trump tweeted that he was "So sorry to hear about the terrible accident involving our GREAT West Point Cadets. We mourn the loss of life and pray for the injured. God Bless them ALL!"
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a statement said his "heart breaks for all those involved in the tragic accident."
"These courageous cadets and soldiers represent the best of New York State and our country, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their bravery in choosing to serve our country and protect our freedom," the governor said. "This incident is made all the more heart wrenching as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day today, a day where we remember those who gave their lives for our country."
"I am grateful to the first responders who are on the scene right now and am directing the State Office of Emergency Management to provide any resources necessary to assist," he added. "On behalf of all New Yorkers, we pray for a speedy recovery for those involved and we share in the sorrow experienced by their loved ones during this extremely difficult time."
Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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