Two additional soldiers sustained injuries during a training exercise on Hervey Range Road, which took place around 6:42 PM yesterday.
Addressing the press today, Brigadier Ben McLennan stated that the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the soldier’s death is ongoing.
“We were conducting a crew commanders course within the training area. This is a standard exercise for the third battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment, our armoured infantry unit, and it was during this routine that the incident happened,” McLennan explained.
“It’s still too soon to determine the exact cause,” he added.
The soldier had been in service for seven and a half years.
“He was a leader, guiding and mentoring young soldiers consistently. His service record was distinguished,” McLennan noted.
”He served in support of our nation during the COVID crisis, in contributing to our partnership with Papua New Guinea and in training the Ukrainian armed forces for their conflict in Eastern Europe.”
He said the vehicle involved in the crash was an M113 armoured personnel carrier.
“It is a very reliable vehicle that we use up in the third brigade, the third battalion, on a daily basis,” McLennane said.
Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles this morning confirmed the soldier’s death.
Multiple paramedic units, including a rescue helicopter, attended the crash.
“This is a tragic loss and the sacrifice of our service personnel weighs heavily on us all,” Marles said.
“Our service men and women wear our nation’s uniform with pride and we recognise the risks they take each and every day in the defence of our nation.”
Two other soldiers, including a man in his 30s and a man in his 20s, were taken to hospital in a stable condition.
“Two other soldiers were also injured in the same incident but they have been released from medical care,” said McLennan.
