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Death toll rises to five, four soldiers still missing after vehicle overturned near flooded creek

Posted at 12:19 PM, Jun 02, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-04 12:08:56-04

Five soldiers are dead and four others are missing after a tactical vehicle that the soldiers were in overturned at a rain swollen creek on post Thursday morning

The effort to find the other four missing Fort Hood soldiers has been scaled back night as civilian search teams ended their efforts. Crews from Fort Hood will continue the search into the night until they feel unsafe. 

The vehicle that the soldiers was in overturned at a rain swollen creek on post.

In addition to the missing soldiers, Fort Hood says three soldiers died, and three were injured.

Twelve people were on board the light medium tactical vehicle when it overturned at the Owl Creek Tactical Low-Water Crossing on East Range Road Thursday morning.

The three bodies were recovered from the water downstream from the vehicle. Names of the deceased will not be released until 24 hours after all next of kin have been notified. 

Three soldiers are in stable condition after being rescued. On Thursday evening, they were being transported from Coryell Memorial Healthcare System in Gatesville to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center.

Fort Hood officials said the search is on going for six soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

The Fort Hood Directorate of Emergency Services, local and state agencies are assisting with the rescue and recovery of personnel and property.

Emergency operations, include aircraft, canine search teams, heavy-ground equipment, swift-water rescue watercraft and search personnel. 

Click for statement from Fort Hood

Click for statement from Governor Greg Abbott

Congressman John Carter issued the following statement on his Facebook account:

Erika and I are deeply saddened by the news out of Fort Hood today. The men and women at Fort Hood are truly a blessing to our great nation. Our community has suffered a great tragedy today, and I know like all Central Texans, the Fort Hood community is resilient and strong. Our thoughts and prayers are with the soldiers, their families and the entire Fort Hood community. 

District 25 Congressman Roger Williams, whose district includes Fort Hood, said on his Facebook page:

I'm saddened to hear of the tragedy at Fort Hood today. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of our brave soldiers. The men and women of our Army are our country's best and brightest. And every day we are reminded of how much they mean to us. The Great Place is a strong community and our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Fort Hood tonight.

And District 17 Congressman Bill Flores said on Facebook:

Gina and I are deeply saddened by this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with the soldiers and their families.

This is a developing story.

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