Canadian soldier dies during training at Shilo

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This article was published 25/07/2015 (3196 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Canadian soldier died during a training exercise at Canadian Forces Base Shilo Saturday afternoon, the Department of National Defence reported.

The soldier, 25-year-old Pte. Kirby Tott, was training with the 3rd Canadian Division when he died suddenly, the department said in a news release.

Tott joined the Canadian Forces as a reservist with the Rocky Mountain Rangers in Prince George, B.C., in 2012.

He was taking basic reserve infantry training at the base in southern Manitoba when he died.

CFB Shilo public affairs officer Lori Truscott said Tott had been stationed at the Manitoba base for a few weeks.

Truscott said she had no other information regarding how he died.

“I don’t know what they were doing at the time,” Truscott said.

When asked whether the base’s military police or another police unit was taking part in the investigation, she would only say the matter “is under investigation.”

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of his death.

Truscott said Tott was single, and his family was notified of his death.

Truscott said she expected more information on Tott’s death to be released this week.

A military spokesman for the 3rd Canadian Division said the loss of the young man is felt throughout the ranks of the Canadian Forces.

“Any loss is felt and mourned by any member of the 3rd Canadian Division and the Canadian Forces as a whole,” Fraser Logan said.

“It gives soldiers pause every time something like this happens, domestic or overseas.”

Logan couldn’t provide more details on Tott’s death.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered his condolences Sunday.

“I was saddened to learn today of the death of a member of the Canadian Armed Forces. On behalf of all Canadians and of the Government of Canada, I would like to offer my most sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Pte. Kirby Tott,” Harper said.

“Pte. Tott’s death is a sombre reminder of the sacrifices made every day by the brave men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, both at home and abroad, for they are the ultimate guarantors of our values and our freedoms.

His “service to Canada will always be honoured and remembered.”

Defence Minister Jason Kenney also released a statement.

“I was saddened to hear of the death of Pte. Kirby Tott while he was conducting training at CFB Shilo on Saturday,” Kenney said.

“On behalf of all Canadian Armed Forces personnel, I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Pte. Tott and to those affected by this tragedy.”

 

 

— with Brandon Sun files

jessica.botelho-urbanski@freepress.mb.ca