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Vandoo Killed in Wainwright Training ExMedia Round-Up
Que soldier died from broken neck when armoured vehicle rolled in Alta river
WAINWRIGHT, Alta. (Canadian Press, 2005.09.21 ) - Canadian soldier Patrick Dessureault died when the soft earth near the Battle River gave way, sending his light armoured vehicle rolling into the water in a crash that broke his neck, military officials confirmed Wednesday.
The 24-year-old private from Alma, Que., was with 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment on night manoeuvres Tuesday when the vehicle rolled, injuring two other soldiers.
Commanding officer Lt.-Col. Daniel Menard said the troops were working within the parameters of the exercise and said the death was a freakish mishap.
``No rules were broken. The soldiers were conducting normal training at a very low rate and it's just one of those accidents that occurred, said Menard.
The crew commander of the carrier, Master Cpl. Richard Boudreault of Charny, Que., was sent to hospital in Edmonton for chest X-rays.
His condition was stable. He had been trapped for the longest time in the vehicle and may have taken in water, said Menard.
The other injured soldier, Pte. Jonathan Beaudin of Lorraine, Que., was kept in Wainwright in good condition and was to be released back to his unit Thursday.
The three were based in Valcartier, Que.
Dessureault's mother said her son, who joined the military in 2003, was just getting started in life.
``He loved military life and was passionate about his mission of peace,
``He loved the action, the camaraderie and being part of a team. We are very sad.
Dessureault was the oldest of three siblings and leaves a brother Samuel, 21, and sister Sabrina, 16.
Menard said his unit arrived a few days ago and that Dessureault's company was on its first night of manoeuvres, getting used to the unfamiliar terrain.
``They were doing normal night activities by using night-vision assets they normally have in the vehicle.
Menard said after the vehicle rolled, it took troops more than 45 minutes to get him out of the hatch and on to a medical helicopter. He died en route to hospital.
Menard said they initially thought he drowned but later determined it was a neck injury.
``Probably when the vehicle rolled over he broke his neck inside the hatch.
Menard said Dessureault, who leaves behind a girlfriend, had been with the battalion for two years and was an ``excellent soldier.
``He was well-liked by his peers and also by the NCO's and officers, he said
Military officials as well as the RCMP were investigating the accident.
The other troops were pulled off manoeuvres Wednesday but were to return Thursday.
``The people that were close to the soldier are going through a mourning period where they have to realize not only a comrade has died but also right now they're so close, they're almost like members of their own family.
``It's like a brother actually died.
Gen. Rick Hillier, Canada's Chief of the Defence Staff, issued a statement from Ottawa sending condolences to the soldiers' families and friends.
``I am saddened by the death of Pte. Dessureault and the injuries sustained by Pte. Beaudin and Master Cpl. Boudreault, Hillier said.
``Our thoughts and prayers are with these fine soldiers' families and friends right now.
Lt.-Gen. Marc Caron, Chief of the Land Staff, also sent his condolences.
``My thoughts are of our fallen and injured soldiers, as well as their families and friends. I wish Pte. Beaudin and Master Cpl. Boudreault speedy and complete recoveries.
``Further, I will ensure this fatal accident is thoroughly investigated so that we can learn from it and apply those lessons to future training activities.
(Edmonton Sun)
2005.09.21, Broadcast News wire
WAINWRIGHT, Alberta -- A spokesman at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta says the death of a Quebec soldier has hit them hard.
Lieutenant Mark Peebles says at the end of the day they're all a -- quote -- ``band of brothers.
Private Patrick Dessureault of Alma, Quebec, was killed last night when his armoured vehicle rolled into the Battle River during a training exercise.
Private Jonathan Beaudin of Lorraine, Quebec, and Master Corporal Richard Boudreault of Charny, Quebec were also in the vehicle and were injured.
The three are from the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment, from C-F-B Valcartier near Quebec City.
(CKSA)
Soldiers-Accident2005.09.21, Broadcast News Wire
C-F-B VALCARTIER, Quebec -- A Canadian soldier is dead and two others injured in a training accident in Alberta.
Private Patrick Dessureault of Alma, Quebec was killed last night near Wainwright.
His armoured vehicle rolled into the Battle River.
Private Jonathan Beaudin of Lorraine, Quebec and Master Corporal Richard Boudreault of Charny, Quebec were also in the vehicle and were injured.
The three are from the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment, from C-F-B Valcartier near Quebec City.
Lieutenant-General Marc Caron, Chief of the Land Staff, says the accident will be thoroughly investigated to prevent a similar one in the future.
(CP)
Canadian soldier dies in rollover crashMike Sadava and Brenda Branswell, Windsor Star, 2005.09.22
EDMONTON - One soldier from Quebec is dead and two others have minor injuries after an armoured vehicle rolled down an embankment during a training exercise at CFB Wainwright, located southeast of Edmonton.
"They were doing tactical night manoeuvres in the Battle River area, and during the manoeuvres, and the LAV (light armoured vehicle) containing three people rolled into the Battle River," Lieut. Mark Peebles, public affairs officer for 1 Mechanized Brigade Group, said Wednesday.
The accident, which occurred late Tuesday night, claimed the life of Pte. Patrick Dessureault of Alma, Que., Pte. Jonathan Beaudin of Lorraine, Que., and Master Cpl. Richard Boudreault, of Charney, Que., were brought to hospital in Wainwright with minor injuries and later released.
Dessureault died in the hatch from a neck injury, probably incurred when the vehicle rolled over, said Lt. Col. Daniel Menard, commanding officer of the unit. "Potentially, from what the doctors are able to tell us, he died instantly."
At 24, two years after enlisting in the military, Dessureault was preparing for his first expected deployment overseas next year.
Boudreault, the crew commander, was in stable condition in Edmonton Wednesday, undergoing X-rays, mainly of the chest area, Menard said. "We don't have the details yet."
"He was trapped for the longest time in the vehicle."
Beaudin was in good condition and might return to the unit today, he said.
The soldiers were sure they weren't too close to the riverbank, Menard said. But the soil was probably too soft, Menard said, giving out under them.
Quebec soldier died from broken neckPUBLICATION: The Moncton Times and Transcript DATE: 2005.09.22
Canadian soldier Patrick Dessureault died when the soft earth near the Battle River gave way, sending his light armoured vehicle rolling into the water in a crash that broke his neck, military officials confirmed yesterday. The 24-year-old private from Alma, Que., was with 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment on night manoeuvres Tuesday when the vehicle rolled, injuring two other soldiers. Commanding officer Lt.-Col. Daniel Menard said the troops were working within the parameters of the exercise and said the death was a freakish mishap. "No rules were broken. The soldiers were conducting normal training at a very low rate and it's just one of those accidents that occurred," said Menard. The crew commander of the carrier, Master Cpl. Richard Boudreault of Charny, Que., was sent to hospital in Edmonton for chest X-rays. His condition was stable. He had been trapped for the longest time in the vehicle and may have taken in water, said Menard. The other injured soldier, Pte. Jonathan Beaudin of Lorraine, Que., was kept in Wainwright in good condition and was to be released today. Dessureault's mother said her son, who joined the military in 2003, was just getting started in life. "He loved military life and was passionate about his mission of peace," said Diane Lemieux.
Soldier dies during manoeuvresPUBLICATION: The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) DATE: 2005.09.22
EDMONTON (CNS) -- One soldier from Quebec is dead and two others have minor injuries after an armoured vehicle rolled down an embankment during a training exercise at CFB Wainwright, located southeast of Edmonton.
The accident, which occurred late Tuesday night, claimed the life of Pte. Patrick Dessureault of Alma, Que., Pte. Jonathan Beaudin of Lorraine, Que., and Master Cpl. Richard Boudreault, of Charney, Que., were brought to hospital in Wainwright with minor injuries and later released.
Dessureault died in the hatch from a neck injury, probably incurred when the vehicle rolled over, said Lt. Col. Daniel Menard, commanding officer of the unit.
SOLDIER KILLED ON EXERCISEPUBLICATION: The Winnipeg Sun DATE: 2005.09.22
Canadian soldier Patrick Dessureault died when the soft earth near the Battle River gave way, sending his light armoured vehicle rolling into the water in a crash that broke his neck, military officials confirmed yesterday.
The 24-year-old private from Alma, Que., was with 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment on night manoeuvres Tuesday when the vehicle rolled, injuring two other soldiers.
PUBLICATION: The Chronicle-Herald (Halifax) DATE: 2005.09.22
Soldier's death in rollover ruled accidental
WAINWRIGHT, Alta. Canadian soldier Patrick Dessureault died when the soft earth near the Battle River gave way, sending his light armoured vehicle rolling into the water in a crash that broke his neck, military officials confirmed Wednesday.
The 24-year-old private from Alma, Que., was with 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment on night manoeuvres Tuesday when the vehicle rolled, injuring two other soldiers.
Commanding officer Lt.-Col. Daniel Menard said the troops were working within the parameters of the exercise and said the death was a freakish mishap.
"No rules were broken. The soldiers were conducting normal training at a very low rate and it's just one of those accidents that occurred," said Menard.
The crew commander of the carrier, Master Cpl. Richard Boudreault of Charny, Que., was sent to hospital in Edmonton for chest X-rays.
His condition was stable. He had been trapped for the longest time in the vehicle and may have taken in water.
The other injured soldier, Pte. Jonathan Beaudin of Lorraine, Que., was kept in Wainwright in good condition and was to be released back to his unit today.
The three were based in Valcartier, Que.
Menard said his unit arrived a few days ago and that Dessureault's company was on its first night of manoeuvres, getting used to the unfamiliar terrain.
"They were doing normal night activities by using night-vision assets they normally have in the vehicle."
Menard said after the vehicle rolled, it took troops more than 45 minutes to get him out of the hatch and on to a medical helicopter. He died en route to hospital.
Menard said they initially thought he drowned but later determined it was a neck injury.
Menard said Dessureault, who leaves behind a girlfriend, had been with the battalion for two years and was an "excellent soldier." Military officials as well as the RCMP were investigating the accident.
The other troops were pulled off manoeuvres Wednesday but were to return today.
"The people that were close to the soldier are going through a mourning period where they have to realize not only a comrade has died but also right now they're so close, they're almost like members of their own family.
"It's like a brother actually died."
SOLDIER COULDN'T ESCAPE DRIVER DEAD AFTER ARMOURED VEHICLE ROLLS INTO RIVER DURING EXERCISEPUBLICATION: The Edmonton Sun DATE: 2005.09.22
A Quebec-based soldier is dead and two others injured after their armoured vehicle rolled into the Battle River.
Pte. Patrick Dessureault, 24, of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment from Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, Que., was driving the LAV-III during a nighttime training exercise near Wainwright Tuesday at 10 p.m. when the soil gave way near the riverbank, causing the eight-man vehicle to roll, said Lt.-Col. Daniel Menard.
"Inside the vehicle there were only three soldiers and when the vehicle started to get water inside, they started to fight their way out," said Menard. "The driver was not able to escape. He died in his hatch."
Other soldiers raced to the LAV-III and pulled out Pte. Jonathan Beaudin of Lorraine, Que. and Master Cpl. Richard Boudreault from Charny, Que.
Soldiers administered emergency first aid until medics arrived on scene. It took soldiers more than 45 minutes to pull Dessureault from the vehicle, said Menard. He'd suffered a broken neck during the rollover and had taken on water.
Menard said the two-year veteran of the forces was well liked by his peers.
"He was not only a very good person, but also an excellent soldier," said Menard, adding he will receive a full military funeral.
Dessureault's grieving family said the young soldier, who joined the military in 2003, was just getting started in life.
"He had his whole life ahead of him," said Dessureault's tearful mother, Diane Lemieux, from her home in Alma, Que.
Dessureault was the oldest of three siblings, including Samuel, 21, and sister Sabrina, 16.
"He was dynamic and a fighter," Lemieux said. "He loved military life and was passionate about his mission of peace.
"He loved the action, the camaraderie and being part of a team. We are very sad."
Boudreault is listed in stable condition in an Edmonton hospital, where he was undergoing chest X-rays. Beaudin was being treated for bruising and could rejoin his unit today, Menard said.
The RCMP and members of the Canadian Forces will investigate the Tuesday night incident.
Soldier killed in vehicle rollover: Quebec native was part of exercise near EdmontonPUBLICATION: Calgary Herald DATE: 2005.09.22 BYLINE: Mike Sadava and Brenda Branswell
One soldier from Quebec is dead and two others have minor injuries after an armoured vehicle rolled down an embankment during a training exercise at CFB Wainwright, southeast of Edmonton.
"They were doing tactical night manoeuvres in the Battle River area, and during the manoeuvres, and the LAV (light armoured vehicle) containing three people rolled into the Battle River," Lieut. Mark Peebles, public affairs officer for 1 Mechanized Brigade Group, said Wednesday.
The accident, which occurred late Tuesday night, claimed the life of Pte. Patrick Dessureault of Alma, Que.
Pte. Jonathan Beaudin of Lorraine, Que., and Master Cpl. Richard Boudreault, of Charney, Que., were brought to hospital in Wainwright with minor injuries and later released.
Dessureault died in the hatch from a neck injury, probably incurred when the vehicle rolled over, said Lt.-Col. Daniel Menard, commanding officer of the unit. "Potentially, from what the doctors are able to tell us, he died instantly."
At 24, two years after enlisting in the military, Dessureault was preparing for his first expected deployment overseas next year.
Boudreault, the crew commander, was in stable condition in Edmonton Wednesday, undergoing X-rays, mainly of the chest area, Menard said. "We don't have the details yet."
"He was trapped for the longest time in the vehicle."
Beaudin was in good condition and might return to the unit today, Menard said.
The soldiers were sure they weren't too close to the riverbank, Menard said. But the soil was probably too soft, Menard said, giving out under them and toppling the vehicle.
There were other vehicles in the vicinity, and fellow soldiers helped pull the trio out of the vehicle.
A military funeral will be held for Dessureault, although how it is staged will be determined by the family's wishes, suggested Capt. Mark Peebles, a military spokesman for 1 Mechanized Canadian Brigade Group, which is presently deployed in Wainwright.
Dessureault had just moved in with his girlfriend and lived in Quebec City, Menard said. "(He) was one of those soldiers who was extremely well liked by his peers. He was not only a very good person but also an excellent soldier."
Military training exercise turns deadlyPUBLICATION: Times Colonist (Victoria) DATE: 2005.09.22
EDMONTON --One soldier from Quebec is dead and two others have minor injuries after an armoured vehicle rolled down an embankment during a training exercise at CFB Wainwright.
"They were doing tactical night manoeuvres in the Battle River area, and during the manoeuvres, and the LAV (light armoured vehicle) containing three people rolled into the Battle River," Lieut. Mark Peebles, public affairs officer for 1 Mechanized Brigade Group, said Wednesday.
The accident, which occurred late Tuesday night, claimed the life of Pte. Patrick Dessureault of Alma, Quebec. Pte. Jonathan Beaudin of Charny, Quebec and Master Cpl. Richard Boudreault were brought to hospital in Wainwright with minor injuries and later released.
Dessureault died in the hatch from a neck injury, probably incurred when the vehicle rolled over, said Lt. Col. Daniel Menard, commanding officer of the unit. "Potentially, from what the doctors are able to tell us, he died instantly."
At 24, two years after enlisting in the military, Dessureault was preparing for his first expected deployment overseas next year.
Boudreault, the crew commander, was in stable condition in Edmonton Wednesday, undergoing X-rays.
Freak crash kills soldierPUBLICATION: The Province (Vancouver) DATE: 2005.09.22
WAINWRIGHT, Alta. -- Canadian soldier Patrick Dessureault died when the soft earth near the Battle River gave way, sending his light armoured vehicle rolling into the water in a crash that broke his neck, military officials said yesterday.
The 24-year-old private from Alma, Que., was with 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment on night manoeuvres Tuesday when the vehicle rolled, injuring two other soldiers.
Commanding officer Lt.-Col. Daniel Menard said the troops were working within the parameters of the exercise and said the death was a freakish mishap.
"No rules were broken. The soldiers were conducting normal training at a very low rate and it's just one of those accidents that occurred," said Menard.
The crew commander of the carrier, Master Cpl. Richard Boudreault of Charny, Que., was sent to hospital in Edmonton for chest X-rays.
His condition was stable. He had been trapped for the longest time in the vehicle and may have taken in water, said Menard.
The other injured soldier, Pte. Jonathan Beaudin of Lorraine, Que., was kept in Wainwright in good condition and was to be released back to his unit today.
The three were based in Valcartier, Que.
PUBLICATION: Edmonton Journal DATE: 2005.09.22 BYLINE: Mike Sadava, The Edmonton Journal, Brenda Branswell,Montreal Gazette
Quebec soldier dies in training exercise: Armoured vehicle rolls into river during manoeuvres at CFB Wainwright
EDMONTON - One soldier from Quebec is dead and two others have minor injuries after an armoured vehicle rolled down an embankment during a training exercise at CFB Wainwright.
"They were doing tactical night manoeuvres in the Battle River area, and during the manoeuvres, and the LAV (light armoured vehicle) containing three people rolled into the Battle River," Lieut. Mark Peebles, public affairs officer for 1 Mechanized Brigade Group, said Wednesday.
The accident, which occurred late Tuesday night, claimed the life of Pte. Patrick Dessureault of Alma, Quebec.
Pte. Jonathan Beaudin of Charny, Quebec and Master Cpl. Richard Boudreault were brought to hospital in Wainwright with minor injuries and later released.
Dessureault died in the hatch from a neck injury, probably incurred when the vehicle rolled over, said Lt. Col. Daniel Menard, commanding officer of the unit. "Potentially, from what the doctors are able to tell us, he died instantly."
At 24, two years after enlisting in the military, Dessureault was preparing for his first expected deployment overseas next year.
Boudreault, the crew commander, was in stable condition in Edmonton Wednesday, undergoing X-rays, mainly of the chest area, Menard said.
"We don't have the details yet. He was trapped for the longest time in the vehicle."
Beaudin, of Lorraine, Que., was in good condition and might return to the unit today, Menard said. The soldiers were sure they weren't too close to the riverbank, Menard said. But the soil was probably too soft, he said, giving out under them to topple the vehicle.
A military funeral will be held for Dessureault although how it is staged will be determined by the family's wishes, suggested Capt. Mark Peebles, a military spokesperson for 1 Mechanized Canadian Brigade Group, which is presently deployed in Wainwright.
Dessureault had just moved in with his girlfriend and lived in Quebec City, Menard said. "(He) was one of those soldiers who was extremely well-liked by his peers."
"He was not only a very good person but also an excellent soldier."
The vehicle has eight wheels, holds eight people and a turret with a machine-gun, Peebles said. Because of their unfamiliarity with the terrain, they were doing the night manoeuvres at a "walking pace."
There were other vehicles in the vicinity at the time, and fellow soldiers from CFB Valcartier helped pull the soldiers out of the vehicle.
Dessureault, who was found in the driver's compartment, was pronounced dead while being rushed by helicopter to Sturgeon General Hospital in St. Albert, said Capt. Catherine Larose, public affairs officer at CFB Valcartier, which is near Quebec City.
The three soldiers had only arrived at the base last weekend for the exercise, called Phoenix Ram, and are expected to stay at Wainwright until the end of October, Larose said.
About 1,200 soldiers from Valcartier are currently at Wainwright for the exercise, which is designed to get them to a state of operational readiness.
Troops from CFB Valcartier have been deployed in Afghanistan in recent years.
This was the first fatality in a training exercise at the Wainwright base since 1999, when a soldier with head injuries was found dead inside a Coyote armoured vehicle.
However there had been safety concerns about the handling of vehicles and weapons following several deaths in the early '90s.
"We try to do what we can in making the training as realistic as possible, but with a mind for safety," Peebles said. "It's something that is regrettable and we always try to avoid it.
Alberta: Quebec soldier killed in training accidentPUBLICATION: The Ottawa Citizen DATE: 2005.09.22
One soldier from Quebec is dead and two others have minor injuries after an armoured vehicle rolled down an embankment during a training exercise at CFB Wainwright in Alberta. The accident, which occurred late Tuesday night, claimed the life of 24-year-old Pte. Patrick Dessureault of Alma, Que. Pte. Jonathan Beaudin of Charny, Que. and Master Cpl. Richard Boudreault were brought to hospital in Wainwright with minor injuries and later released. Pte. Dessureault died in the hatch from a neck injury, probably incurred when the vehicle rolled over, said Lt.-Col. Daniel Menard, commanding officer of the unit. "Potentially, from what the doctors are able to tell us, he died instantly."
Quebec soldier dies 'instantly' in Alberta as vehicle rollsPUBLICATION: Montreal Gazette DATE: 2005.09.22 BYLINE: BRENDA BRANSWELL
At age 24, two years after enlisting in the military, Pte. Patrick Dessureault was preparing for his first expected deployment overseas next year.
The Alma native was among 1,200 soldiers from CFB Valcartier beginning a five-week training exercise in Wainwright, Alta.
Unfamiliar with the training area, the regiment was conducting a low-key night exercise Tuesday when tragedy struck.
The light-armoured vehicle driven by Dessureault and carrying two other soldiers from Quebec rolled into the Battle River.
Dessureault died in the vehicle's hatch of a neck injury, said Lt.-Col. Daniel Menard, commanding officer of the unit.
The injury probably was incurred when the vehicle rolled over, Menard said. "Potentially, from what the doctors are able to tell us, he died instantly."
Most of the Valcartier soldiers were from the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment.
Soldiers who had already dismounted from the vehicle raced over to help, said Capt. Mark Peebles, a military spokesperson for 1 Mechanized Canadian Brigade Group, which is deployed in Wainwright. Pte. Jonathan Beaudin, of Lorraine, and Master Cpl. Richard Boudreault, of Charny, had also been riding in the vehicle.
Boudreault, the crew commander in charge of the LAV-III vehicle, was in stable condition in a hospital in Edmonton yesterday, undergoing X-rays, mainly of the chest area, Menard said.
"We don't have the details yet. He was trapped for the longest time in the vehicle."
Beaudin was in good condition and might return to the unit today, Menard said.
The soldiers were sure they weren't too close to the riverbank, he said. But the soil was probably too soft, giving out under them, and the vehicle rolled over, Menard said.
"No rules were broken," he said. "The soldiers were conducting normal training at a very low rate. And it's just one of those accidents that occur."
A military funeral will be held for Dessureault, although how it is staged will be determined by his family's wishes, Peebles suggested. Memorial services will be held in Alma and Wainwright, he said.
Several military personnel, including the chaplain from CFB Valcartier, were with Dessureault's family yesterday to offer support, said Capt. Jocelyn Laroche, a public affairs officer at the base.
Dessureault had just moved in with his girlfriend and lived in Quebec City, Menard said.
"(He) was one of those soldiers who was extremely well liked by his peers. He was not only a very good person but also an excellent soldier."
The accident in Wainwright is being investigated by military officials and the local RCMP.
The brigade training event under way there is "simply the biggest level of training we conduct in Canada," Peebles said.
Menard said his unit, which arrived a few days ago, had just started their manoeuvres. "It was the first night the company was out conducting some training."
Because it was the start of training, it was done at a slow pace with "no real stress" placed on individuals, Menard said.
They conduct night training all the time and everywhere they go, he said. "Being familiar with the ground only helps us. But the reality is, we need to be able to operate in all kinds of environments and all kinds of weather."
It is their fourth major exercise this year and the first accident, he said.
He maintained speed and fatigue were not factors in the accident. "We were fresh, we were just arriving (there)."
Quebec soldier killed in Alberta exercise: CFB WainwrightPUBLICATION: National Post DATE: 2005.09.22 BYLINE: Mike Sadava and Brenda Branswell
EDMONTON - One soldier from Quebec is dead and two others have minor injuries after an armoured vehicle rolled down an embankment in the Battle River during a training exercise at CFB Wainwright.
"They were doing tactical night manoeuvres in the Battle River area, and during the manoeuvres, the LAV light armoured vehicle containing three people rolled into the Battle River," Lieutenant Mark Peebles, public affairs officer for 1 Mechanized Brigade Group, said yesterday.
The accident, which occurred late on Tuesday night, claimed the life of Private Patrick Dessureault of Alma, Que. Private Jonathan Beaudin of Lorraine, Que., and Master Corporal Richard Boudreault Charny, Que., were injured.
Pte. Dessureault died in the hatch from a neck injury, probably incurred when the vehicle rolled over, said Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Menard, commanding officer of the unit. "Potentially, from what the doctors are able to tell us, he died instantly."
At 24, two years after enlisting in the military, Pte. Dessureault was preparing for his first expected deployment overseas next year.
The soldiers were sure they were not too close to the riverbank, Lt. Col. Menard said. But the soil was probably too soft, he said, giving out under them to topple the vehicle.
The vehicle has eight wheels, holds eight people and a turret with a machine gun, Lt. Peebles said.
Because of their unfamiliarity with the terrain, they were doing the night manoeuvres at a "walking pace."
This was the first fatality in a training exercise at the Wainwright base since 1999, when a soldier with head injuries was found dead inside a Coyote armoured vehicle. However, there have been safety concerns about the handling of vehicles and weapons following several deaths in the early '90s.
"We try to do what we can in making the training as realistic as possible, but with a mind for safety. An accident is something that is regrettable and we always try to avoid it," Capt. Peebles said.
The accident is being investigated.
A military funeral will be held for Pte. Dessureault.
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