Cheorwon:Seoul An Army K55A1 self-propelled howitzer was involved in a tragic collision with two civilian cars on a national highway in Cheorwon, resulting in the death of one civilian driver, military officials reported on Tuesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the incident occurred last Thursday at around 7 p.m. when the howitzer was struck from behind by two civilian vehicles. The crash resulted in the death of the driver of the first car, while the second driver sustained injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
The military vehicle, returning from a training exercise, had seven soldiers aboard at the time of the incident. Some soldiers suffered minor abrasions. Footage from the scene showed the accident happening on a dark stretch of road, with the howitzer’s rear lights barely visible.
An Army official stated that a police investigation is ongoing to ascertain the exact cause of the collision. The Army has pledged full cooperation with the investigation, which includes verifying whether the howitzer adhered to safe speed limits and operational safety procedures.
Authorities have called upon the National Forensic Service to examine the event data recorder and are also reviewing surveillance footage. Police are leaving all possibilities open as they determine the cause of the accident and plan to question the soldiers and commanders involved.