(Newswire.net — August 14, 2015) — While training at the Eglin Air Force Base outside of Pensacola, Florida, US Army Rangers, were struck by lightning at 4:55 pm on Wednesday, Business Insider reported.
Four Army Ranger survival instructors and 40 Ranger students were admitted to the hospital where 17 remained overnight, Business Insider cited a press release from Fort Benning.
The class of Army Rangers is the first to include five women, reportedly, none of them were affected by the lightning.
“At the time of the incident, they were conducting lightning-protection protocols when lightning struck nearby,” the press release states.
“Rangers students and instructors reacted and got everyone proper medical care quickly,” said Col. David Fivecoat, of the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade, in the statement.
“Ranger students and instructors are tough. [The] students will return to training tonight and continue with increased medical monitoring as they try to earn their Ranger tab,” Col. Fivecoat said in a statement.
Reportedly, the incident happened on the seventh of 17 days of training. At the final leg of the exhausting training process to become an Army Ranger, trainees were in swamp practicing stream crossing and cross-water operations.
The spot for training is particularly chosen not only because of the rough terrain but also due the frequent lighting strike danger.
In fact, according to the University of Florida, more people are killed by lighting in Florida than any other state.
Though lighting strikes are common, it affected an unusually large group, luckily, no one has been seriously injured, according to a press release. All instructors and soldiers have been released from the hospital and are expecting to complete training and earn the coveted Ranger tab.
The entire state of Florida is a high-risk area for lightning, seeing 100 storm days a year, compared to 5 storm days in California.