Female soldier hospitalised after firearm incident at Puckapunyal

A soldier has suffered a traumatic injury after a round from a heavy machine gun or high-powered rifle exploded in her face at the Puckapunyal Military Base.

A woman has had a gun explode in her face at the Puckapunyal army base. Picture: Alex Coppel.

A soldier has suffered a traumatic facial injury after a firearm incident at Puckapunyal Military Base on Tuesday afternoon.

A 22-year-old woman was unresponsive and had significant facial injuries following the incident about 2.49pm.

Paramedics were tasked to attend the Puckapunyal military area near Seymour-Tooborac Rd just before 3pm.

It is understood the explosion involved a faulty .50 calibre bullet.

The woman’s face was close to the firearm when the explosion happened, but it is understood she was wearing a helmet and body armour at the time.

Army medics treated the woman, who was breathing but unconscious, at the base while they waited for Ambulance Victoria paramedics.

It is understood she was being moved to the car park where it would be determined whether she was flown or taken via an ambulance to hospital for treatment.

Weapons that use .50 calibre ammunition include the Browning heavy machine gun and several high-powered rifles.

Defence confirmed an Army member sustained non-life threatening injuries was taken to a civilian hospital for further assessment.

A Defence spokesperson said as the matter was being investigated, there would be no further comment at this stage.

Ambulance Victoria was approached for comment.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said they were aware of the incident but were not required to attend.

The incident comes after three people were injured in a training exercise at the base in August last year.

Then, just a few days later, another two soldiers were injured in a rollover.