An explosion inside a World War II-era military tank killed two men in Oregon on Tuesday afternoon, and investigators are now trying to determine the cause.
"This is a tragic day," Deschutes County Sheriff Shane Nelson
told KTVZ-TV Tuesday night. "Two families lost loved ones, and our hearts and prayers go out to those that loved ones today."
Nelson said that the names of both men were being temporarily withheld while their families were contacted.
"One of the victims was still alive [when police arrived], and they were able to speak with that victim," he explained. "Bend Fire Department did attempt life-saving efforts on that victim, but the victim died."
The explosion occurred around 3 p.m. at the Central Oregon Shooting Sports Association range.
After determining that the area was safe for investigators, flood lights were set up around the area and staff began collecting evidence and taking measurements.
Nelson said that "There was a camera crew on scene, and they were filming the tank. As to what they were filming or why they were filming, those details haven't been found out yet."
KTVZ-TV noted that the tank appears to be the same one seen firing in a report from four years ago. At that time, Discovery Channel was on the scene filming.
The Associated Press reported that Oregon State Police Arson and Explosives Section are assisting in the Sheriff's Dept. investigation.
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