NORFOLK, Va. — More than 30 Navy sailors and Marines from Norfolk-based ships were injured during a training exercise on Wednesday, the U.S. Navy said Friday.
It happened when two Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCACs) from the USS Wasp and USS New York collided off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida. The military personnel involved are assigned to the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, according to the Navy.
After the collision, a third LCAC responded and took all 38 personnel back to their ships to be looked at and treated.
The Navy said five sailors were medically evaluated at Savannah Memorial University Medical Center. Four were released after treatment, while the fifth was flown to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Friday to be closer to their home base of Naval Station Norfolk.
"Treatment at NMCP allows the Sailor to receive further care and recovery close to their family and support system," the Navy wrote in an early Saturday morning update.
The fifth sailor is in stable condition, according to the Navy.
Others were treated aboard the Wasp and New York, the Navy said. On Saturday morning, the Navy said a total of 35 personnel were injured, five higher than the initially reported number. 34 of them have returned to duty.
The Navy said the incident is under investigation.