40 Ranger School students survive lightning strike

Forty Ranger School students and four instructors were hospitalized in a lightning strike while training at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida on Wednesday, the Army said. 

The lightning strike occurred while the class was learning lightning safety procedures. All 44 individuals were evacuated to a local hospital Wednesday and returned to duty Thursday. 

{mosads}Twenty-three students and one instructor were treated and released that night, while 17 students and three instructors remained overnight in the hospital. 

Nine students and two instructors were still hospitalized by Thursday afternoon for observation but returned to duty hours later, according to the Army. 

Although the class contains two females students, officials told the Army Times they were “not involved.”  

“The Ranger students and instructors reacted and got everyone proper medical care quickly,” said Col. David Fivecoat, Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade commander, in a statement.  

“Ranger students and instructors are tough, 31 students will return to training tonight and continue with increased medical monitoring as they try to earn their Ranger tab,” he said. 

Graduates of the course earn the Ranger tab, worn by three percent of soldiers.