Iraq vet dies on Army base during training in Texas

[Recursion]

Source: CNN off AP wire

Searchers have found the body of a sergeant who was missing for four days after he disappeared during a training exercise, an Army spokeswoman said.

Sgt. Lawrence G. Sprader, 25, went missing Friday during a solo exercise testing basic map-reading and navigation skills.

...

On Wednesday, Army investigators were trying to piece together how an experienced soldier died during a training exercise.

...

The hilly terrain at the base can be difficult to navigate and contains poisonous snakes and other hazards.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/06/13/missing.soldier.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

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Just thought that was really sad. Prayers for the guys family.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

1. I saw this on the news this morning

Sad and odd at the same time.

[Acadia Blue]

2. Even young people die when they train too much. Its hot as hades

in Texas. Young athletes dies of heart attacks.

[BlueGirlRedState]

3. I have been following his story in the Austin paper

Apparently he got lost and radioed in. They asked if he wanted to be rescued and he said he'd complete the exercise. Then they lost contact with him. This is very sad.

[beevul]

4. Seems strange to me.

From the article...

"Officials have said Sprader had two canteens of water when he left. His body was found near plenty of drinking water from creeks and other sources, said Robert Volk, Fort Hood's chief game warden."

"A soldier who was missing for four days after a solo navigation exercise died from hyperthermia and dehydration, according to autopsy results released Wednesday."


Does this not seem odd? It would seem reasonable to believe that this person had the training necessary to survive in conditions such as those. He had water in carry. He was near sources of drinking water, and water he could (I would assume) use to cool himself with.

Not to go tinfoil on this, but am I the only one that this doesn't add up for?

[Xithras]

5. No, it adds up.

Hyperthermia, better known as sun stroke, is the result of excessive heat exposure, not insufficient liquids. He probably could have saved himself by constructing a shade structure and resting, but it appears that he didn't do that. The fact that he declined a pick-up indicates that he was pushing himself to get it done. In high heat, without rest or shade, his body temperature started to climb.

Once hyperthermia kicks in, you're screwed if you're alone. He would have become dizzy and confused, eventually becoming nauseous and passing out. The nature of hyperthermia is that people suffering from it don't recognize it. Once the dizziness starts, comprehension of what is happening to you goes right out the window.

He pushed himself until he fainted. At that point, he probably vomited and began losing fluids. Being exposed under the hot sun, unconscious, vomiting, and sweating profusely, dehydration would have only taken an hour or two.

[burrowowl]

6. Plus they lose the reflex to drink water

sad.
Good advice given at the Grand Canyon if you haven't peed for awhile, your are not drinking enough water.

[beevul]

7. Knowing what you said...

I guess it makes more sense then.

Very sad regardless.

[TX-RAT]

9. Nice explanation

I've lived in far west TX for going on 57 years, I've seen more than my share of heat related illness's. What you said is spot on. I once did a search and rescue on the Rio Grande near the Santalina Canyon area. Seems one of the rafters had strayed away from their camp. After a 6 hour search we found him within 40 yards of the river dead. He could see the river from where he laid. Heat's just something you don't mess with.

[Haole Girl]

8. No you're not the only one...

I wondered if there is more to this story, too