Police suspect a conscript soldier caused Tuesday's serious collision in Puolanga, Finland. The soldier drove a military van into oncoming traffic on Paltamo Road around 2 PM. He collided head-on with a civilian car traveling in the opposite direction.
Both the soldier, born in 2005, and the civilian driver, born in 1953, required helicopter transport to hospital. Another soldier riding in the military van also sustained injuries in the crash.
Investigators say fatigue appears to be the primary cause of the accident. The young soldier is suspected of serious endangerment of traffic safety and aggravated assault.
The incident occurred during a military exercise in the region. Soldiers were transferring from Kajaani to training exercises near Taivalkoski. The speed limit on that road section is 100 kilometers per hour.
Military conscription remains mandatory for Finnish men, with service typically lasting 6-12 months. This system forms the backbone of Finland's defense strategy, especially given the country's long border with Russia.
Road accidents involving military vehicles during transfers raise questions about safety protocols during exercises. Fatigue management for drivers on training maneuvers deserves closer examination following this serious incident.