Body of Canadian medic killed in Afghanistan returns home

The remains of a Canadian army medic killed last week in Afghanistan returned home Monday, with a solemn repatriation ceremony held at CFB Trenton in Ontario.

Cpl. Andrew Eykelenboom, 23, was killed Friday in a suicide bombing.Eykelenboom, who was with the 1st Field Ambulance based in Edmonton, was travelling in a NATO convoy when a pickup truck packed with explosives detonated.

His coffin was carried by military pallbearers to a waiting hearse Monday evening, as bagpipers played.

Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier and Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor were among the dignitaries who joined family, friends and colleagues of the soldier.

Two other soldiers travelling with Eykelenboom on Friday were uninjured. The attack happened near Spin Boldak, close to the Pakistani border and approximately 100 kilometres southeast of Kandahar.

Eykelenboom has been credited by his colleagues with helping save a number of lives in Afghanistan. Hundreds of Canadian and NATO troops gathered early Sunday at Kandahar Air Field to pay tribute.

The Comox, B.C., native is the seventh Canadian killed in Afghanistan since the beginning of August. It is believed he is the first Canadian military medic killed in action since the Korean War.

Canada has about 2,200 troops in Afghanistan, most of them based in Kandahar.

Overall, 26 Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have died in Afghanistan since 2002.