Sailor killed after getting caught in rudder ram

[unhappycamper]

A sailor who died Sept. 21 after he was injured aboard the submarine Nebraska had become “entangled and pinned” in the rudder ram during a cleaning evolution, according to the Naval Safety Center's Web site.


Sailor killed after getting caught in rudder ram
By Gidget Fuentes - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Sep 23, 2008 20:07:26 EDT

A sailor who died Saturday after he was injured aboard the ballistic-missile submarine Nebraska had become “entangled and pinned” in the rudder ram during a cleaning evolution, according to the Naval Safety Center’s Web site.

The Navy was notifying the sailor’s next-of-kin and, as of Tuesday afternoon, had not yet released the victim’s name. The safety center Web site identified him as a third-class machinist’s mate.

Navy officials have not provided any details about the “apparent accident” as the boomer was operating off Oahu on Saturday.

“There was no damage to the submarine,” Lt. Cmdr. Dave Benham, a spokesman for Submarine Force Pacific, said Monday evening. “None of the other crew members were injured. The crew was brought into port to address the needs of the crew because of this tragedy” and to help in the investigations into the incident, Benham said.

He said it was premature to discuss what types of investigations will be conducted. Nebraska crew members rendered medical assistance before the sailor was taken off the submarine by medevac helicopter, but he died en route to the hospital, said Lt. Kyle Raines, a spokesman with Submarine Group Trident in Silverdale, Wash.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/09/navy_nebraska_subdeath_092208/%2e

[chatnoir]

1. How sad... Updated

The Navy identified the sailor who died Saturday aboard the ballistic-missile submarine Nebraska as Machinist's Mate 3rd Class (SS) Michael A. Gentile of Fairfield, Maine. Gentile, 21, who enlisted in 2005, was a member of Nebraska's Blue Crew and had been assigned to the Kitsap, Wash.-based submarine since Nov. 15, 2006, Submarine Force-Pacific officials said in a statement Tuesday.

“Our sincerest condolences and prayers continue to go out to the family and friends of Petty Officer Gentile,” officials said in the statement.

Gentile had previously served on the ballistic-missile submarine Alaska. Officials said the incident remained under investigation and offered no other details about what the Navy calls the “apparent accident” as the boomer was operating off Oahu on Saturday.

More at http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/09/navy_nebraska_subdeath_092308/

[Wilber_Stool]

2. “There was no damage to the submarine,”

I guess not.
This just in. A man died this weekend when the motorcycle he was driving crashed into a gravel truck. The driver of the truck was not injured.