Defence Force Grounds Troop Carrier After Fatal Training Accident
The Australian Defence Force has paused the use of a specific troop carrier model after a fatal rollover during a training exercise south of Darwin, killing Army Corporal Brendan Hannam. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident and identify lessons to be learned.
Australia's Defence Force has suspended operations of a specific troop carrier model after a fatal accident during a training exercise south of Darwin on Monday. The vehicle, a Supacat troop carrying vehicle, was involved in a rollover that killed Army Corporal Brendan Hannam.
Investigation and Safety Measures
According to Chief of Army Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, the vehicle is commonly used in the first brigade and special forces units. "The vehicle is used in the first brigade and it’s also used in our special forces units," she said. "We've paused operational use of that vehicle until the investigation has commenced to understand what, if anything, may be impacted."
General Coyle confirmed that there had been no previous incidents involving the Supacat and that the pause was "normal standard practice that we do when we have a major accident and in particular, a fatality". She also stated that Corporal Hannam was not driving the vehicle when it rolled: "I have not spoken to the family, the unit is supporting the family at the moment," she said. "I’m organising to go and visit the family shortly."
Government Response and Investigation Details
Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles announced that there would be "a series of investigations" following the rollover, including by ADF Inspector-General James Gaynor. Mr. Marles emphasized the importance of learning from the incident: "We need to be making sure that every lesson that can be learned from this incident is learned," he said.
Mr. Marles also mentioned that he had spoken with the Chief of the Defence Force regarding the incident and other fatal incidents in recent years. He stated: "To look at what would be the best vehicle to examine issues such as risk settings, management of fatigue, appropriate training, all of those issues across Army and the Defence Force, and he is going to come back to me with advice in respect of that."
Mr. Marles paid tribute to Corporal Hannam, who had served in the Army for nine years, including deployments to Afghanistan and Ukraine. "He was really a person who had the bulk of his defence career ahead of him," he said. "Our thoughts are very much also with those soldiers who are recovering."