CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (KGTV) - A training accident at Camp Pendleton that left 15 Marines injured Wednesday morning is under investigation, base officials confirmed.
Camp Pendleton officials said Marines from 1st Marine Division were conducting "scheduled battalion training" on land when an amphibious assault vehicle caught fire just after 9:30 a.m.
The 15 Marines were taken to various area hospitals for a range on injuries:
- Eight Marines were taken to the burn center at UC San Diego Health. Three of those Marines are in critical condition and five are in serious condition, USMC officials said.
- Four other Marines were taken to UC Irvine Medical Center, where three are in critical condition and one is in serious condition, according to officials.
- One Marine was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla and is in stable condition.
- Two Marines were being treated at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton with minor injuries.
The vehicle involved was identified as an Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) used to transport Marines from sea to land. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, USMC said.
"The 1st Marine Division would like to thank the civilian and military emergency personnel who responded immediately to the situation and allowed the injured Marines to receive rapid care. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Marines and their families affected by this incident," USMC said.
