Navy SEAL Candidate Dead, Another Hospitalized After CA Training

SAN DIEGO, CA — A Navy SEAL candidate died Friday and another was hospitalized after finishing a strenuous stretch of training known as "Hell Week," according to the U.S. Navy.

Kyle Mullen, 24, of Manalapan New Jersey died was pronounced dead at 5:42 p.m. at Sharp Coronado Hospital on Friday.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to Seaman Mullen's family for their loss," Rear Adm. H W. Howard commander said in a statement. "We are extending every form of support we can to the Mullen Family and Kyle's BUD/S classmates."

The other sailor, whose name has not been released, was hospitalized in stable condition, the Navy said.

The cause of death is unknown and under investigation. Both men fell ill just hours after they successfully completed the test that ends the first phase of assessment and selection for the elite Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) class.

The Navy said neither one had experienced an accident or unusual incident during the five-and-a-half-day Hell Week.

Mullen and the other sailor were taken to the hospital on Friday several hours after completing their Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL class and the first phase of their Navy SEAL assessment.

"The Sailors were not actively training when they reported symptoms and were transported to receive emergency care," Navy officials said.

The cause of the Mullen's death was still "unknown" as of Sunday morning.

The Hell Week test is part of the BUD/S class, which involves basic underwater demolition, survival and other combat tactics. It comes in the fourth week as SEAL candidates are being assessed and hoping to be selected for training within the Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command.

The SEAL program tests physical and psychological strength along with water competency and leadership skills. The program is so grueling that at least 50 percent to 60 percent don’t make it through Hell Week, when candidates are pushed to the limit.

The last SEAL candidate to die during the assessment phase was 21-year-old Seaman James Derek Lovelace in 2016. He was struggling to tread water in full gear in a giant pool when his instructor pushed him underwater at least twice. He lost consciousness and died.

His death was initially ruled a homicide by the San Diego County Medical Examiner. A year later, after an investigation, the Navy said it would not pursue criminal charges in Lovelace’s drowning. An autopsy revealed he had an enlarged heart that contributed to his death, and that he also had an abnormal coronary artery, which has been associated with sudden cardiac death, especially in athletes.

It was unclear from the autopsy report how much Lovelace’s heart abnormalities contributed to his death.

The latest death also comes just two months after a Navy SEAL commander died from injuries he suffered during a training accident in Virginia. Cmdr. Brian Bourgeois, 43, fell while fast-roping down from a helicopter, and he died several days later.