2 injured on Navy vessel off San Clemente Island

Two sailors were injured during a training exercise 10 miles off the coast of San Clemente Island Thursday morning, according to a Navy official.

Officials received a distress call from the sailors at about 2:45 a.m. after their small vessel was hit by a wave.

Lt. Cmdr. Nicole Schwegman said the sailors were brought aboard a nearby destroyer and treated for minor injuries.

Two additional Navy vessels responded to assist the U.S. Coast Guard in towing the vessel.

The U.S. Coast Guard earlier said six people had been injured, but later clarified that there may have been six sailors aboard the craft when it took on water and only two were injured.

The National Weather Service had issued a gale warning for the waters off San Clemente Island after 40 to 50 mph winds were reported in the area.

San Clemente Island is located about 70 miles off the coast, south of Catalina Island.