Probe promised after sailor dies in US submarine incident
WASHINGTON, 11 Jan. 2005 (AFP) -- The commander of US forces in the Pacific promised a swift and thorough investigation Monday of a submarine accident that caused the death of a sailor and injured 23 others.
The damaged USS San Francisco, a Los Angeles class nuclear-powered attack submarine, arrived at its home port in Guam under its own steam after running aground Friday 560 kilometers (350 miles) south of Guam.
"Our hearts and prayers and sympathies are with the family of the sailor lost in that accident, his shipmates and all others injured and affected," Admiral Thomas Fargo, commander of the US Pacific Command said in Hawaii.
"As we are still gathering facts, it would be inappropriate to speculate on the cause," he said. "But I assure you that the Pacific fleet will conduct a rapid and a thorough investigation and we'll let you know what happened once that investigation is complete."
CNN cited Navy sources as saying the submarine ran head-on into an underwater mountain while traveling at high speed. The submarine's sonar dome in the bow of the vessel was partly flooded, it said.
Spokesmen for the navy's Pacific Fleet in Hawaii could not be reached for comment.
Earlier, a Pentagon spokesman said the USS San Francisco's arrival at Guam opens the way for the investigation.
"It's back safe. It's tied up. They've got the injured off. Now that it's back, they'll start going into the investigation process," said Lieutenant Commander Greg Hicks.
The sailor who died Sunday of injuries suffered in the accident was identified as Machinist Mate 2nd Class John Allen Ashley, 24, of Akron, Ohio.
Twenty-three other crew on the USS San Francisco were being treated "for a range of injuries including broken bones, lacerations, bruises and a back injury," following the accident on Friday, Petty Officer Alyssa Batarla told
The accident occurred Friday when the vessel was conducting underwater operations 560 kilometers (350 miles) south of its base at Guam, the Navy said.
The navy said the submarine's nuclear plant had not been damaged and its hull was still intact.
The grounding occurred as the submarine with its crew of 137 was heading for a port visit in Brisbane, Australia.