US Marine dead after training accident at Mount Bundey

A 21-year-old United States Marine died yesterday from injuries received in a vehicle accident during training in Mount Bundy Training Area south east of Darwin over the weekend.

Lance Corporal Hans Sandoval-Pereyra died on Tuesday in Royal Darwin Hospital from injuries received when the HMMWV he was travelling in rolled on Saturday, the Marine Corps said in a statement.

He was conducting routine training at the Mount Bundey training area, about 120 kilometres south-east of Darwin, when he was injured.

Initially treated at the scene, the Marine was transported by helicopter to Royal Darwin Hospital where he died.

Saturday’s accident is under investigation.

Recently sworn-in Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said in a statement that she was deeply saddened by the death of the United States Marine.

“On behalf of the Australian government, I wish to extend my condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of this Marine,” Senator Reynolds said.

“The Department of Defence is in close contact with Marine Corps leadership and is offering Australia’s full support at this difficult time.”

Another marine received minor injuries in the accident and has since been released from hospital.

Colonel Russ Boyce, CO Marine Rotational Force – Darwin said Lance Corporal Sandoval-Pereyra was a beloved member of the MRF-D community and his deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.

“We are saddened by the loss of Lance Corporal Sandoval-Pereyra,” Colonel Boyce said.

“We are also extremely grateful to our Australian partners for their valiant efforts to save this young Marine’s life.”

Lance-Corporal Sandoval-Pereyra was from Fairfax, Virginia, and was an expeditionary airfield systems technician assigned to the Aviation Combat Element for MRF-D.

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