Soldier killed in armoured vehicle rollover at Alberta base
4 Canadian soldiers also injured when LAV III rolls over at Garrison Wainwright
A Canadian soldier was killed and four others were injured Wednesday when a LAV III vehicle overturned during a training exercise at Garrison Wainwright in Alberta.
Defence officials confirmed that Lt.-Col. Dan Bobbitt was killed when the armoured carrier overturned around 11 a.m. MT in the Wainwright Training Area.
Bobbit was the commanding officer of the 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (2 RCHA) based in Petawawa, Ont.
In a statement, Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered his condolences.
“I was deeply saddened to hear about the tragic accident today in Wainwright, Alta., that took the life of Lt-Col. Daniel Bobbitt and injured other Canadian Armed Forces members," he said.
“On behalf of all Canadians, Laureen and I offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those affected by this tragedy, including all base personnel. We also offer our prayers for a speedy recovery to those who were injured.
"This accident is a painful reminder of how Canadian Armed Forces members put their lives on the line every day in the defence of Canada, whether it be in theatre or training here at home."
The injured soldiers are also members of 2 RCHA. Two were flown to hospital in Edmonton where they are listed in fair condition. The other two soldiers were treated at Garrison Wainwright and released.
They were taking part in a training exercise known as Maple Resolve 2014. About 5,000 soldiers from Canada, the United States and United Kingdom are in Wainwright for the exercise.
Wainwright is located about 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.
Bobbitt joined the reserves in 1988 and moved to the regular force two years later.
He served in Bosnia and Afghanistan. In 1997 he was the military liaison officer to the City of Winnipeg during the Red River floods.