Fort Gordon initiates investigation into soldier's death caused by lightning strike

Fort Gordon has initiated an accident investigation after the death of a U.S. Army Reserve soldier during a lightning strike on the military installation.

The morning of July 20, Fort Gordon officials reported 10 soldiers were injured during a lightning strike at a training area.

Fort Gordon's Department of Emergency Services and Emergency Medical Services responded immediately, but one of the soldiers, Sgt. 1st Class Michael D. Clark, died from his injuries.

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When asked whether U.S. Army and Fort Gordon protocols were followed, Nancy A. Bourget, director of the Fort Gordon Public Affairs Office, said an accident investigation has been initiated.

"It would be premature to comment further on this matter until the investigation is complete in order to not interfere with the investigation," Bourget said.

Bourget did not identify the organization completing the investigation.

Clark, a 22-year military veteran, had served four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was assigned to 933rd Forward Resuscitative Surgical Company, 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support), according to the U.S. Army Reserve.

Eight of the injured soldiers remain in good condition at Fort Gordon's Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center and one was treated and released, according to the U.S. Army Reserve.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Georgia military base investigating soldier's death by lightning