In Zaragoza, at the San Gregorio field, a series of dramatic maneuvers led to injuries when a refrigerated truck rolled downhill after a brake was inadvertently released. Three soldiers sustained injuries as the vehicle crushed a nearby tent area. The truck driver and a colleague who was assisting with unloading are now the subjects of legal proceedings for causing injuries.
The investigation, overseen by the Regional Military Court of Togado No. 32, traces back to events from last May, with new charges arising after an internal review within the Spanish Armed Forces. The case has drawn attention to both operational protocol and on-site safety practices.
The incident occurred around 17:10, in the Hoya del Borracho district where the Alfas group, comprised of several units, was active. According to contemporaneous reporting, the refrigerated truck had been unloading food for a kitchen operation when the driver, after engaging the parking brake, requested a nearby colleague to assist in the unloading process. The driver then placed the brake lever in a position that allowed movement, and the man with access to the vehicle’s controls reportedly placed a rifle in the vicinity and instructed his ally to remove it from the area to facilitate the procedure. The vehicle, initially stationary, began to roll downhill and covered approximately 300 meters before any attempt to intervene could be made.
Tragically, a tented area set up on the plain became the focal point of the accident. Three corporals suffered injuries: one sustained a sprain, another a torn meniscus, and the third a damaged outer malleolus. Witnesses described hearing shouts demanding evacuation, though many did not realize the warning was directed at them as the vehicle moved and the scene unfolded.
Early technical findings indicate the most probable cause of the incident was inadvertent manipulation of the parking brake lever. Investigators noted that the defendants, aided by legal counsel, were obligated to ensure the brake was correctly positioned and to implement safety measures such as wheel chocks, as well as to manage wheel orientation to avoid a steep descent. Workshop assessments reported that the vehicle itself was in good condition and that the engine was operating at the time of the event.
Represented by attorney Sergio Escobedo, the injured parties described their experience at the field hospital where they were treated. One witness recounted hearing loud explosions and being engulfed by falling tent structures as they tried to move to safety. Another said he leapt away only to have the tent collapse onto his back, adding to the sense of chaos that persisted in the aftermath.
The individual who had placed a rifle on the seat and touched the handbrake explained that a colleague urged him to unload the weapon, prompting him to perform the action from the driver’s seat in a prone, enlisted position. He stated that the truck began moving downhill eight seconds after the unloading attempt and there was no opportunity to stop the vehicle in time. This account forms part of the testimony in the continuing investigation, which is being examined by the court and is subject to ongoing review by the defense teams and prosecutors. (attribution: Regional Military Court of Togado No. 32)