A military transport van collided with another vehicle on Highway 78 near Paltamo in Finland. The accident occurred Tuesday afternoon around 2 PM on a straight section of road.
Three people sustained injuries in the head-on collision. Two required helicopter transport to hospitals for further treatment. The third person traveled by ambulance.
The military vehicle carried two conscripts born in 2005. The other vehicle contained a man born in 1953. All three individuals suffered injuries during the crash.
Police are investigating both drivers for serious traffic safety offenses and aggravated bodily harm. Officers could not interview the parties involved at the scene.
Both drivers now face suspicion for endangering traffic safety and causing injuries. The investigation continues as authorities piece together what caused the collision on the 100 km/h speed limit highway.
The conscripts serve in the Kainuu Brigade, one of Finland's key military units. This marks another serious incident involving military vehicles on public roads despite safety protocols.
Road safety remains a pressing concern in rural Finland where high-speed highways connect sparse communities. Military vehicles regularly share these roads with civilian traffic during training exercises.