Bloody pillow fright at military school

One of the injured cadets and a pillowcase covered in blood

A MASSIVE pillow fight at a famous military academy has left at least 30 soldiers injured.

For generations, young cadets at the prestigious West Point Academy have let off steam and built camaraderie with a huge pillow fight to mark the end of summer training.
But this year it turned bloody as some stuffed their pillowcases with hard objects — thought to be helmets.

This resulted in split lips, a broken leg, dislocated shoulders and at least 24 cadets knocked unconscious.

The Academy has insisted that none of the injuries are severe, despite one cadet being taken away in an ambulance, and insists all those involved have returned to duty.
Pictures have emerged from the August brawl showing some cadets wearing body armour as they fought in the central courtyard of the Academy in New York State, US.

And at one point, a smoke grenade appeared to go off.

At least 30 were injured during the fighting

West Point spokesman Lt Col Christopher Kasker said: “West Point applauds the cadets’ desire to build esprit and regrets the injuries to our cadets.
“We are conducting appropriate investigations into the causes of the injuries.”

A female first-year cadet not involved in the fight said: “My friends were really excited. And right after, when we learned how many people had gotten hurt, everyone felt totally hardcore.
“The goal was to have fun, and it ended up some guys just chose to hurt people. I know it looks weird from the outside, but it really bonds us.”

No disciplinary action has been taken against the cadets and there are no plans to end the annual pillow fight which has taken place since at least 1897. –The Sun.co.uk