Loss of life, M18 Hellcat

[Bill Hollinger]

I'd put this in the memorial section but it has to do with a horrible accident involving a M18 Hellcat that occurred east of Bend Oregon yesterday. Although I only knew Steve Preston from the meets at Tower Park he was always a nice guy. Austin Lee I did not know but knew of him.

They were at a range yesterday being filmed for documentary footage in Steve's WWII M18 Hellcat. Friends say they had a hang fire and opened the breech too soon and the round exploded killing Austin immediately. Steve was able to call his wife at home and lived just long enough to make a brief statement to rescue workers when they reached him.

This accident has rocked the military vehicle restoration community something horrible. It's all over the news although they are being guarded in the information given.

RIP fellas!

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