Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 20-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas, died in a PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap 7 September 2023 in Manhattan, Kansas, at 0600 local. Soldier 1 stopped on the side of the road to assist Soldier 2, who had struck a deer with her vehicle. Both Soldiers had exited their vehicles to inspect the damage when they were struck by a civilian vehicle. The Kansas Highway Patrol responded to the scene and both Soldiers were transported to the local hospital. Upon arrival, Soldier 1 was pronounced dead by hospital staff. Due to the injuries Soldier 2 sustained, she was transferred to a higher-level medical care facility in Topeka, Kansas, for further treatment and evaluation. She is currently in stable condition.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of six Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This was the seventh off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatality of FY23 and above the number of off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatalities from this time last year.
 

ANALYZE IT   |   TRAIN IT   |   DOWNLOAD PDF

A 22-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas, died in a PMV-4 mishap 6 September 2023 in Cookeville, Tennessee, at 0031 local. While on post-deployment leave, the Soldier reportedly was involved in a fatal vehicle accident. The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) responded and pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including the Soldier’s use of a seat belt, speed or alcohol as a contributing factor, are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for THP to release its final report.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 32nd PMV-4 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.
 

ANALYZE IT   |   TRAIN IT   |   DOWNLOAD PDF

A 34-year-old Specialist assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, died in an off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap 2 September 2023 in Anchorage, Alaska, at 1400 local. The Soldier was hiking with several other Soldiers from his unit when he accidentally fell off a cliff. He was airlifted to Providence Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of 11 Soldiers a year to off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishaps. This was the eighth off-duty sports, recreation and physical training fatality of FY23 and above the number of off-duty sports, recreation and physical training fatalities from this time last year.

Safety tip

Cliff Safety

• Take your time and watch your step – Be careful and watch where you are walking, especially on slippery areas or near cliffs. Stick to dry paths and solid rock areas with good footing.


• Don’t get too distracted – Pay attention when taking photos, videos or just looking at the scenery. Watch your step. There will often be uneven ground, holes, bumps on rocks and stumps near the cliff’s edge. Tripping can cause a fall as easily as slipping.


• Only use the designated paths – Take notice of any warning signs and fences in place, be responsible and don’t take any unnecessary risks.


• Make sure that you are properly equipped for walking along paths – Remember to wear sturdy shoes or boots and check the weather forecast. Carry a fully charged mobile phone and tell someone where you are going and what time you will be home.


• Do not attempt to climb up or down cliffs – Unless you are properly equipped and trained to do so, do not attempt to climb cliffs as a shortcut back to the top.


• Keep your dog on a lead near cliffs – If your dog picks up the scent of an animal or hears something on the ledge below, it doesn’t take much for them to follow their nose. Above all, if your dog does fall down a cliff, do not attempt to rescue it yourself. Nine times out of ten your dog will rescue itself and return to you alive, but, tragically, some owners do not.


• Stay away from the bottom of cliffs – When standing at the bottom of a cliff, we always advise people that they should not stand less than the height of the cliff away. That means that if the cliff is 25 meters high, don’t go closer than 25 meters toward it.


• Source: Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

 

ANALYZE IT   |   TRAIN IT   |   DOWNLOAD PDF

A 34-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to the Army National Guard, McEntire Joint National Guard Base, Eastover, South Carolina, died in an off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap 4 September 2023 in Lancaster, South Carolina, at 1455 local. The Soldier experienced a problem while towing a boat and pulled his vehicle onto the shoulder of the highway. The unit reported that the Soldier and his wife were outside of the vehicle and in proximity to the boat when a civilian vehicle struck it. The South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) responded and pronounced the Soldier’s spouse dead at the scene. The Soldier was transported to the local medical center, where he died shortly after arrival. The driver of the civilian vehicle was also transported to the local hospital; however, his status is unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for SCHP to release its final report.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of six Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This was the sixth off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap of FY23 and above the number of off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatalities from this time last year.

Safety tip
If you are involved in a roadside emergency do not let your focus or frustration distract you from the serious dangers posed by other drivers on the road. Follow these tips to remain as safe as possible:

Emergency Equipment – Ensure the emergency equipment you carry in your vehicle includes warning triangles and a reflective vest along with a first aid kit, extra water and food, and emergency repair supplies including tools, a spare tire, duct tape, jack, jumper cables, heavy-duty rope, gloves and fix a flat.

Get off the road – When you first discover an issue with your vehicle find a safe spot to pull over as far off the road as possible. The most important thing is to get out of the path of traffic.

Make yourself visible – Turn on your hazard lights and headlights, and once you have pulled over, place reflective emergency triangles to alert oncoming traffic while wearing reflective gear.

Exit the vehicle carefully – Exit the vehicle from the side furthest from the road and stay as far away from traffic as possible. Do not exit the vehicle if not safe to do so – remain inside with your seat belt on and call 911 for assistance.

Traffic Warning Triangles – Place a minimum of one warning triangle but preferably three to improve visibility:
- Place the first triangle 10 feet behind your vehicle on the side closest to the road.
- Place a second warning triangle 100 feet directly behind your vehicle.
- Place a third triangle 300 feet behind your vehicle on the side furthest from the road.

Limit your exposure – Know when to call a professional. If the required repair is beyond your capabilities or will expose you to heavy traffic return to your vehicle, buckle up and call for assistance.

For more information on pedestrian safety, check out the Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation: https://safety.army.mil/ODSAP.
 

ANALYZE IT   |   TRAIN IT   |   DOWNLOAD PDF

A 25-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, died in an on-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap 2 September 2023 at 1145 local. The Soldier was conducting cardiovascular PT and collapsed of heat exhaustion with a core temperature of 107 degrees. He was evacuated to a local medical center, then later to Savannah, Georgia, for specialized care, where he died.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of one Soldier a year to on-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishaps. This was the third on-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap of FY23 and below the number of on-duty sports, recreation and physical training fatalities from this time last year.
 

ANALYZE IT   |   TRAIN IT   |   DOWNLOAD PDF