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Two military personnel injured after truck accident in Multia, Central Finland

Sunday 1st 2024 on 19:58 in  
Finland

Two military personnel were injured after a defense force truck veered off the road in Multia, Central Finland, while participating in the Karelian Spear 24 exercise. The adverse weather conditions at the time may have contributed to the incident; however, traffic safety officer Juha Kelloniitty emphasized that drivers are properly trained for such operations.

The police are investigating the accident in Multia for endangering traffic safety, while a separate incident in Ivalo is under scrutiny as a service offense. Just weeks prior, a similar accident involving a tracked vehicle in Ivalo injured 23 military personnel, four of whom sustained serious injuries.

Kelloniitty reported that during the Karelian Spear 24 exercise, the weather was particularly poor at the time of the accident. He noted that if there were snowy or slushy conditions on the road, the defense forces would have limited control over this. All drivers in the exercise completed military driver training, which lasts two and a half months for those seeking licenses above class C.

Kelloniitty added that drivers are required to inform superiors if they have no experience operating a specific vehicle, ensuring adherence to safety norms. He also highlighted the importance of continuous breaks during operations, mandating a minimum of six hours of rest within any 24-hour period.

Elina Riutta, chair of the National Reservist Association, indicated the need for improved planning and execution of exercises to better safeguard personnel. She cited a report on a previous accident, which recommended enhancing safety protocols to ensure effective guidance regarding duty safety among military personnel.

Source 
(via yle.fi)