— Eighteen soldiers from Fort Bragg were treated for injuries late Wednesday night after lightning struck near where they were training.

Master Sergeant Patrick Malone, of the 82nd Airborne, said about 60 members of the 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team were huddled together at about 8 p.m. Wednesday, reviewing what they had done in training when the bolt hit the ground nearby.

The troopers spread out and got lower to the ground as their training dictates when lightning is near. Medics then checked on each one.

No soldier was directly struck, Malone said. Eighteen were taken to the hospital out of "an abundance of caution," Malone said.

By Thursday afternoon, 10 remained hospitalized, nine at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and one at UNC Hospitals. Maj. Rob Lodewick said all were expected to be released by the weekend.