Soldiers killed in ‘weather-related incident’ on Georgia mountain identified, Army says
UPDATE: The Army has identified two Fort Benning soldiers killed in a weather-related incident in the north Georgia mountains on Aug. 9. 2nd Lt. Evan Fitzgibbon and Staff Sgt. George Taber were sheltering during a “weather-induced” training hold when they were struck by falling tree at Yonah Mountain, officials said.
Both were taken to a hospital where they were pronounced dead.
“We are all deeply saddened by the loss of these two outstanding Soldiers and send our heartfelt condolences to their families,” Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning Commanding General Maj. Gen. Curtis A. Buzzard said in statement. “They are in our thoughts and prayers.”
The original story is below.
Two Fort Benning soldiers died and multiple others were injured after a “weather-related incident” in the north Georgia mountains, according to U.S. Army officials.
The incident occurred Tuesday, Aug. 9, on Yonah Mountain near Dahlonega, a spokesperson for The Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning Public Affairs Office said in a statement.
The two soldiers, who haven’t been publicly named, were part of a training program at the center, located just outside of Columbus, WAGA reported citing Army officials. Three service members were also hurt and taken to a hospital for treatment.
Their conditions weren’t known as of Wednesday, Aug. 10.
It’s unclear if training was underway at the time of the incident.
“More information will be released as details become available,” the Army spokesperson said.
It marks the second weather-related incident involving Georgia soldiers in the past month. In July, Sgt. 1st Class Michael D. Clark died when lightning struck near a training area at Fort Gordon, McClatchy News reported. Nine others were injured.
Dahlonega is about 70 miles northeast of Atlanta.
This story was originally published August 10, 2022 at 10:43 AM.