3 sheriff deputies among 5 hurt in prison training accident

NORRISTOWN >> The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office on Friday identified the deputies injured Thursday when a live training device exploded during FBI-led explosives response training at SCI Phoenix in Skippack Township.

Five bomb technicians were wounded, including three deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, one trooper from the Pennsylvania State Police, and one Special Agent from FBI Philadelphia.

All were taken to area hospitals for treatment; their injuries vary and some are significant, but do not appear to be life-threatening, the FBI said in a statement Friday. The FBI bomb technician was released from the hospital Thursday.

The incident is under investigation by the FBI’s Inspection Division, according to the FBI statement.

Montgomery County Sheriff Sean Kilkenny said: “The MCSO thanks all those who have reached out. While none of our deputies appear to have sustained life threatening injuries at this time, one of our deputies sustained serious injuries. Please keep our deputies, trooper and agent in your prayers.”

The injured deputies identified are Cpl. Ryan Volk, a 14year MCSO veteran and bomb tech, who was injured and airlifted to Penn Presbyterian Hospital where he is still undergoing treatment; Cpl. Tim Metz, a 13-year MCSO veteran and bomb tech, and Cpl. Andrew Noto, a 12 -year veteran and bomb technician. Metz and Noto were treated at Paoli Hospital and released.

Sheriff Kilkenny is expected to speak to reporters this afternoon. This story will be updated at that time.