CF Statement:
http://tinyurl.com/fx6a3
National Defence: Four Canadian Soldiers killed in Afghanistan
APRIL 22, 2006 - 09:04 ET
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - April 22, 2006) - Four Canadian soldiers were killed when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device near Gumbad, approximately 75 kilometres north of Kandahar. The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 22 (11 p.m. April 21 EDT).
Killed in the incident were:
- Corporal Matthew Dinning, born in Richmond Hill, Ontario, stationed at 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters, Petawawa, Ontario;
- Bombardier Myles Mansell, born in Victoria, British Columbia, of 5th (British Columbia) Field Regiment, stationed at Victoria, B.C.;
- Lieutenant William Turner, born in Toronto, of Land Force Western Area Headquarters, stationed at Edmonton;
- The identity of the fourth soldier is being withheld at the request of the next-of-kin.
Corporal Dinning, Bombardier Mansell and Lieutenant Turner died at the scene of the blast. The fourth soldier was evacuated by helicopter to Kandahar Airfield where he succumbed to his injuries after undergoing surgery.
All of the soldiers were serving as part of Task Force Afghanistan; their next-of-kin have been notified.
The soldiers were travelling in an armoured "G Wagon" (Gelaendenwagen) vehicle as part of a multi-vehicle convoy when the blast occurred. Immediately after the explosion, Canadian soldiers established a security cordon around the incident site and a medical technician administered immediate first aid. A detailed investigation is being conducted to determine the circumstances of the incident.
Repatriation of the four soldier's remains is now being planned; details will be released as they become available.
Canada's mission in Afghanistan is part of our contribution to the international campaign to help bring stability and security to the people of Afghanistan. The overarching goal is to help the Afghan people achieve peace by preventing their nation from relapsing into a failed state that gives terrorist and terrorist organizations a safe haven.
There are significant risks involved in these operations, but Canadian Forces members are among the best trained, and most experienced soldiers in the world. They are well led, well equipped, and fully prepared for the mission in Afghanistan.
Prior to this incident, 11 members of the Canadian Forces, and a civilian political director from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, have lost their lives in Afghanistan.
NOTE TO EDITOR:
Photographs of three of the soldiers are available on the Combat Camera website (search under last name) at: http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca
(Also, I'm adding information as I find it: http://milnews.ca )
