Update To Timor Leste Vehicle Accident

Sunday, 29 July 2007

Update To Timor Leste Vehicle Accident

The Australian Defence Force advised late Friday evening that a vehicle accident in Timor-Leste has resulted in six members of the Australian Defence Force led International Security Force (ISF) and a civilian interpreter being injured.

All of the soldiers involved in the accident were from Townsville.

None of the injuries sustained by those involved were life threatening.

Defence spokesperson Brigadier Andrew Nikolic confirmed that the accident occurred about 35km south-west of the capital Dili shortly before midday on Friday 27 July and was carrying 12 personnel.

"The accident involved only the Unimog truck that the troops were travelling in at the time. The accident is currently under investigation however, initial indications are that part of the road on which the vehicle was travelling collapsed and the vehicle subsequently rolled over," he said.

The vehicle, which was part of a convoy, was being guided past an obstacle when the road on which it was travelling collapsed.

The injured personnel were provided immediate first aid by their colleagues at the accident site and an Aero Medical Evacuation (AME) was activated from the Joint Task Force.

One of the patients sustained a suspected fractured vertebra and has been transferred to Darwin for further care while two remain in the Dili facility with less serious injuries.

The other ADF casualties suffered minor injuries and were not hospitalised and have returned to their units.

Next of kin have been notified.

ENDS

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