A teenager training for the Pennsylvania National Guard has died after collapsing during physical training.
Pvt. Alyssa Cahoon, 17, died in a hospital Thursday, five days after suffering a medical emergency while training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, according to WLTX. The US military is investigating the cause of death.
Fort Jackson did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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“We extend our deepest condolences to the family members and teammates of the deceased soldier. We are providing all the comfort and assistance we can to everyone involved,” the U.S. Army Training Center said. and the Fort Jackson commander, Brig. Gen. Patrick R. Michaelis in a statement, per WLTX.
Cahoon was transported by Fort Jackson Emergency Medical Services to an off-base hospital.
The 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment paid tribute to Cahoon in a statement on Facebook. “Leyte family, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of PFC Alyssa Cahoon,” they wrote. “She passed away last night, August 25, 2022, with her family at her bedside.”
Cahoon was recruited from Pennsylvania with her twin sister Brianna, and they were both 42A human resources specialists. Their company graduation took place on Thursday.
“How cool that they’re going through basic combat training together?! They qualified on their guns with Back-up Iron Sights today!” The 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment shared photos of the sisters’ training on Facebook in July.
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Their mother, Susan Cahoon, commented on the post, “Love it! These are my girls! I miss them so much but they are so happy to be together!”
Since opening in 1917, Fort Jackson has grown into the U.S. Army’s largest basic combat training facility, training 50% of all soldiers and 60% of Army women, according to the US Army’s website. base.
