Low visibility during Exercise Wallaby 2024 caused minor injuries among soldiers
A collision involving two Hunter armoured fighting vehicles during Exercise Wallaby in Queensland, Australia, was likely caused by low visibility due to dust clouds, according to Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.
Incident Overview
The accident occurred on September 24, 2024, at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area, with 12 SAF soldiers sustaining mild injuries. All were treated at a nearby medical facility and returned to their units the following day.
Preliminary Findings
An immediate safety pause was initiated, and initial investigations pointed to dust clouds from moving vehicles as the primary cause. Soldiers had adhered to safety protocols, including wearing seat belts and protective gear, which minimized injuries.
Safety Measures
Following the incident, drivers were reminded to maintain safe distances, especially under poor visibility. Safety briefs were conducted for subsequent exercise participants and other SAF units.
Next Steps
The Army has launched a formal investigation to identify additional lessons and implement further safety measures. Exercise Wallaby 2024, involving 6,200 SAF personnel, runs until November 3 and is SAF’s largest overseas unilateral training operation.
