One minor was killed and three others were injured at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia when a wall at the men’s locker room of the on-base pool collapsed on them earlier this week.
The incident occurred Monday at the Heritage Club Pool men’s locker room, according to a statement from Col. Deedrick Reese, the installation and 78th Air Base Wing commander. The incident was under investigation, the wing said Friday.
“Our hearts are broken for these individuals and their families. We remain committed to supporting our airmen and their loved ones as we navigate this difficult time for Team Robins,” Reese said. “We want to thank the first responders — including lifeguards, installation and community personnel — who responded to this tragic incident with compassion and professionalism.”
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One minor was treated on scene and three others were rushed to the hospital — where one individual died from their injuries, the base said in a statement.
Melissa Noles told Military.com in a phone interview Friday that her grandson and step-grandson were injured when a cinderblock and concrete wall collapsed on the boys Monday afternoon.
Her grandson, who suffered broken ribs, a collapsed lung and other internal injuries from the incident, was released from the hospital Friday afternoon. She said all the kids were close and that her grandson and step-grandson are carrying “survivor’s guilt” from witnessing the fatal injuries of their friend.
“It’s been very traumatic,” Noles told Military.com. “He’s going to have to live with this for the rest of his life, and we also don’t know whether he’s going to have any long-term physical issues from his injuries.”
Shellie Espinosa, a spokesperson for the 78th Air Base Wing, told Military.com that the pool, which is available only to those with base access, is temporarily closed and that the incident is under investigation.
The base said in a news release that chaplain services are available to service members, their families and those who were at the scene of the incident.
Robins Air Force Base in Houston County, Georgia, is home to “the largest single-site industrial complex in Georgia, employing a workforce of almost 24,000 civilians, contractors and military members,” according to the base’s website.
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