Police: 2 dead after explosion inside World War II-era tank

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

BEND, Ore. (AP) — Authorities say two people have died in an explosion inside a World War II-era tank at a firing range in Oregon.

Police say the explosion occurred Tuesday afternoon at a public gun range east of Bend. Paramedics tried to revive the victims but they died from their injuries.

Authorities say there is no risk to the public.

KTVZ-TV showed the tank in a field.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/666b1aefd5a740dc9370ac405099f5e4/police-2-dead-after-explosion-inside-world-war-ii-era-tank

[7962]

1. Jeeze, it'd be nice to have a LITTLE more info!!

What exploded? Why were they in the tank?
They could've had a little more input here.

[Mister Ed]

2. And AP runs it under a banner reading, "The Big Story"!

Pretty skimpy little story AP published there. About as much information as you'd get from the chiron at the bottom of your TV screen.

[slumcamper]

3. What's a TANK doing there in the first place!!??

Candidates for a Darwin Award?

That said, peace to friends and family. Let's hope lessons are learned. Geeeez.

[anniebelle]

9. Finalists for the Darwin Award, my best guess.

[Omaha Steve]

4. Not much more at other links yet

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/police-dead-explosion-inside-world-war-ii-era-34780514


http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/10/one_killed_one_injured_after_e.html


http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/central-oregon/2015/10/27/explosion-gun-range-near-bend-sheriffs-office-says/74711904/


http://www.kptv.com/story/30368036/two-people-die-in-wwii-tank-explosion-at-shooting-range-near-bend


http://koin.com/2015/10/27/authorities-respond-to-explosion-at-shooting-range/


Video here: http://www.ktvz.com/news/explosion-in-tank-east-of-bend-injures-2-possible-fatality/36082806

[Brother Buzz]

5. M18 Hellcat?

[davepc]

8. Looks like an open top Tank Destroyer.

[Brother Buzz]

17. Yes, and it's size and profile suggests the Hellcat, a tank destroyer

Check this news video that was updated overnight to include some stock footage of the same 'tank' firing a round four years ago, and you can clearly see Hellcat artwork on it:

http://www.ktvz.com/news/explosion-in-tank-east-of-bend-injures-2-possible-fatality/36082806

[sofa king]

16. StuG IV?

[Rond Vidar]

18. There are only three surviving StuG IV's in the entire world. Two are in Poland, one in Lativa.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturmgesch%C3%BCtz_IV

One of the two in Poland is the only one that's in running condition.

[Historic NY]

6. Old fragile ammo go boom.

[JohnnyRingo]

7. War is dangerous business.

I don't know what happened here, but the casualties of war is heavily sprinkled with accidental KIAs. Since battle tanks contain a lot of deadly ordinance anything can happen in short notice within the confined space.

A case in point is that during every air war in history, more pilots died from accidental deaths than were ever shot down by enemy fire. I imagine armored divisions suffered nearly as many mishaps.

[MowCowWhoHow III]

10. I saw a reality style doc of similar restorations recently

[Sedona]

11. Second Ammendment remedy

for ammosexuals.

[hack89]

15. So you think two people dying is a good thing? OK. nt

[CanonRay]

12. Two less gun nuts, two less Republican Oregon voters.

Hard for me to get real worked up about it.

[Marengo]

21. You have verified the deceased were Republicans?

Do you know them personally, searched the voter rolls? How do you know this? Oh, and do progressives limit compassion only to those politically like-minded?

[Blue_Tires]

13. Deschutes County?

That reminds me -- Who was that DUer who used to man that forestry service lookout tower in that national forest??

[Rond Vidar]

14. If that's an M18 Hellcat it's not a tank. It's a tank destroyer.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TanksButNoTanks

[Brother Buzz]

19. Specifically, it's a 1944 Buick M18 Hellcat tank destroyer

I'm 99% sure it's this Hellcat

http://www.wsj.com/articles/this-hellcat-still-purrs-along-nicely-1443537440

[Rond Vidar]

20. On another forum, it's reported that they were firing the main gun which had a hangfire.

They opened the breech, and the round then went off.

Sad story.

[ileus]

22. meth lab mishap???