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Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

MEDIA Preliminary Loss Reports

About Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

PLRs are intended to be used as an engagement tool for leaders to discuss the hazards and trends impacting Soldier safety and readiness. A PLR contains only basic information, as the investigation is ongoing, but provides sufficient background to allow leaders an opportunity to communicate risk at the Soldier level.

 

 
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PLR 23-023 - Other Ground Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Other
A 28-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to Camp Carroll, Korea, died in an other ground mishap 18 January 2023 in Waegwan, Korea, at 0300 local. The Soldier reportedly fell off the roof of her apartment building. A Non-Commissioned Officer from the unit notified first responders and the chain of command. Local first responders arrived on the scene, found the Soldier nonresponsive and immediately began lifesaving measures. Upon arrival to the local medical center, the Soldier was pronounced dead by the attending physician. No further details are currently available. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for local authorities to release their final report.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of three Soldiers a year to off-duty other ground mishaps. This mishap was the first off-duty other ground fatality of FY23.
 

 

PLR 23-007 - GMV Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Other
A 20-year-old Specialist assigned to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, died in a GMV mishap 22 October 2022 in Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG), Pennsylvania, at 1315 local. Four Soldiers in two M1120 Load Handling System (LHS) vehicles were traveling on the tank trail to pick up ammunition dunnage at a range. During the movement, the trailing LHS vehicle rear-ended the first vehicle. The first vehicle's flat rack entered and crushed the driver’s side of the second LHS vehicle’s cab. The driver of the second LHS was unresponsive and did not have a pulse when the other Soldiers in the convoy extracted her from the vehicle and performed immediate CPR. FTIG emergency services were notified of the accident and responded to the scene, where they pronounced the Soldier dead. The other three Soldiers were evacuated to Hershey Medical Center for precautionary reasons and evaluation.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of nine Soldiers a year to GMV mishaps. This mishap was the first GMV fatality of FY23 and the same number of fatalities for the same time period last year.

 

 

PLR 22-068 – Combat Skills/Military Unique Claims Two Lives

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Other
A Staff Sergeant and Second Lieutenant assigned as students at Fort Benning, Georgia, died in a combat skills/military unique mishap 9 August 2022 in Cleveland, Georgia, at 1515 local. While conducting mountaineering training, the unit went into its lightning-lockdown procedures as strikes occurred within 10 miles of the area. While the students spread out, the wind blew a large portion of a tree onto five students. Unit medics transported the two fatally injured Soldiers off the mountainside and transferred the Soldiers onto local ambulances with the unit physician’s assistant assisting along the way. The remaining three Soldiers sustained non-fatal injuries and were transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, Georgia. Two of the Soldiers who suffered non-fatal injuries were discharged. The third injured Soldier was hospitalized for two days and discharged for outpatient care. The USACRC is leading a safety investigation into the mishap.

Since 2017, the Army has lost an average of three Soldiers a year to combat skills/military unique mishaps. This tragedy was the third and fourth combat skills/military unique fatalities of FY22.

 

PLR 22-057 – Combat Skills/Military Unique Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Other
A 41-year-old Sergeant assigned to the United States Army Reserve, Birmingham, Alabama, died in a combat skills/military unique mishap 20 July 2022 on Fort Gordon, Georgia, at approximately 1130 local. The Soldier was participating in annual training when a tree inside the unit's bivouac area was struck by lightning. The tree disintegrated into multiple pieces that landed on three of the unit’s tents. The resulting impacts caused fatal injuries to the Soldier and various non-fatal injuries to eight additional Soldiers. The Soldier died in transit to the hospital. This mishap is still under investigation.

Since 2017, the Army has lost an average of three Soldiers a year to combat skills/military unique mishaps. This tragedy was the third combat skills/military unique fatality of FY22.


AVOID THE LIGHTNING THREAT – When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

Each year in the United States, there are about 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes and about 300 people struck by lightning. Of those struck, about 30 people are killed and others suffer lifelong disabilities. Even though we boast, “it’s not training unless it’s raining,” most of these tragedies can be prevented though a deliberate risk assessment of the weather and a known plan to mitigate the hazards of lightning.

Tips:

· Know the local area weather forecast.
· Have a lightning safety plan. Know where you’ll go for safety and ensure you’ll have enough time to get there.
· Monitor the weather. Once outside, look for signs of a developing or approaching thunderstorm such as towering clouds, darkening skies, or flashes of lightning.
· Get to a safe place. If you hear thunder, even a distant rumble, seek safety immediately.
-Fully enclosed buildings with wiring and plumbing are best.
-A hard-topped metal vehicle with the windows closed is also safe.
-Stay inside until 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.
-Tents, sheds, picnic shelters, or covered porches do NOT protect you from lightning.

· Consider postponing activities if thunderstorms are forecast.

If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby, the following actions may reduce your risk:

• Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks.
• Never lie flat on the ground.
• Never shelter under an isolated tree.
• Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter.
• Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water.
• Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, trees, etc.).
• If you’re swimming or boating get to dry land and find a shelter fast.

 

PLR 22-051 - Pedestrian/Non-Motorist Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Other
A 20-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died as a result of injuries from a PMV-4 mishap that occurred 12 June 2022 in El Paso, Texas, at 0030 local. The Soldier was crossing the street when she was struck by a pickup truck that fled the scene. It is unknown who notified 911. The Soldier was transported to the local hospital for treatment and died the following day. The El Paso Police Department is investigating the mishap.

Since 2017, the Army lost an average of seven Soldiers a year to PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This mishap was the first PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatality of FY22 and below the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.

No matter where you live or how you get places, at some point during the day, you’re a pedestrian. Unfortunately, pedestrian deaths have increased on America’s roadways.

By the Numbers:
In 2018, there were 6,283 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes, the highest since 1990 and a 3.4% increase from 2017. On average, a pedestrian died every 84 minutes in 2018 — accounting for 17% of all traffic fatalities.

The goal of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is to keep you safe — inside and outside of the vehicle. Before you step outside or get behind the wheel, get familiar with these safety tips.

Safety Tips for Pedestrians:

-Walk on a sidewalk or path. If neither is available, walk facing traffic and as far from cars as possible.
-Cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections whenever possible; this is where drivers expect pedestrians. If neither is an option, locate a well-lit area, wait for a gap in traffic that allows you enough time to cross safely, and continue to watch for traffic as you cross.
-Be alert. Walkers wearing headphones or using a cellphone might not hear a car horn or could miss a traffic signal at a crosswalk.
-Walking while impaired is dangerous. An estimated 33% of fatal pedestrian crashes in 2018 involved a pedestrian who was drunk. NHTSA offers tips for other ways to get home safely.
-Never assume drivers see you; they could be distracted or impaired. It’s best to make eye contact with drivers to make sure you are seen. Make yourself visible by wearing brightly colored clothing during the day. At night, wear reflective materials, or use a flashlight.

Safety Tips for Drivers:
-Look for pedestrians everywhere. Pedestrians may be walking in unexpected areas or may be hard to see — especially at night, in poorly lit areas, or in bad weather.
-Follow pedestrian safety laws in your state or local area — always stop or yield for pedestrians in the crosswalk.
-Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. They might be stopped to allow pedestrians to cross the street.
-Stay alert where children may be present, like in school zones and neighborhoods.
-Slow down and carefully adhere to posted speed limits, particularly in urban and pedestrian-heavy areas. Lower speeds are one of the most important factors in pedestrian crash survivability.


 
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