Military tank overturns, catches fire: one dead, one injured in Kinmen County

A tank commander died, and another soldier was injured, after a tank overturned and caught fire in Kinmen County, today, October 8.

According to reports in United Daily News, and Liberty Times, the M41A3 light tank was returning to base after exercises when it overturned on a curve on a downhill section of road in Linbian Village on Little Kinmen Island.

The tank crashed through a steel guardrail, and knocked down two power poles before coming to a stop on its roof in a sorghum field.

Corporal Liu Yu-hong, 27, was close to the exit and managed to exit the tank. Liu suffered from smoke inhalation and an injured arm.

The tank commander, Sergeant Lin Kai-qiang, also 27, was trapped under the vehicle and had no signs of life when firefighters extracted him. Lin was declared dead after arriving at the hospital.

Kinmen Fire Department Command Center said they received a report that a tank had rolled over and was on fire at 3:13 pm. Three fire trucks, one rescue equipment vehicle, one ambulance, and 10 firefighters were dispatched to the scene of the accident.

The fire was brought under control at 3:38 pm, and completely extinguished at 3:47 pm.

The M41A3 light tank was manufactured for the US military by Cadillac between 1951 and 1954. Taiwan is one of a handful of countries that still operates the museum pieces.

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