Soldier collapsed during training at CFB Shilo, cause of death not released
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/07/2015 (3168 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The Canadian Army says a reserve soldier who died at a base in Manitoba collapsed while learning how to build a trench.
Pte. Kirby Tott, 25, died during a training course Saturday afternoon at Canadian Forces Base Shilo.
Maj. Giselle Holland, a public affairs officer, said Tott was learning how to install revetting to reinforce the walls of a trench when he suddenly collapsed.
“Pte. Kirby Tott collapsed while conducting training. There were no vehicles or weapons involved,” Shilo public affairs officer Lori Truscott wrote in an email Monday.
“Until the autopsy is complete we cannot comment on the possible cause of his death.”
There was no word on when an autopsy would be done. The investigation continues, Truscott said.
Tott was from Prince George, B.C., where he worked as a correctional officer.
“This is a sad day and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Pte. Kirby Tott,” Holland said Monday in an email.
“3rd Canadian Division along with his regimental family are providing care and support to the family during this difficult time.”
Tott was a member of the Rocky Mountain Rangers, a reserve regiment of 39 Canadian Brigade Group, based in Kamloops, B.C. At the time of his death, Tott was on a exercise at Shilo, carrying out specialty training required to become an infantry soldier.
Tott joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a reservist with the Rocky Mountain Rangers in Prince George, B.C., in 2012.
Tott’s family requested privacy Monday, but not before Craig Tott, his father, told local media his son had joined the military out of hope to help people.
Tott said his son worked at Prince George Regional Correction Centre and his long-term career goal was to become an RCMP officer.
His son was planning to attend interviews in Saskatoon and Regina when he returned from training, Tott told CBC.
“I think he just cared about people — and that’s all,” Tott said. “He went to school, he’s got a criminology diploma, and it was something he was interested in.”
“He wanted to be in the reserves because he wanted to be part of it — to help people.”
The Tott family was reported to be anxiously awaiting the results of the autopsy and a Free Press reporter was told later on Monday the family would have no more public comments to release.
alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca
— with files from The Canadian Press
History
Updated on Monday, July 27, 2015 1:49 PM CDT: Adds comments from Tott family.
Updated on Monday, July 27, 2015 3:17 PM CDT: Adds photo.