A young Australian soldier has been the second to die in training on home soil in the past week – after he was reportedly shot in the head during a live-fire exercise.
Jason Challis, from Geelong, Victoria, died on Wednesday afternoon at the Royal Darwin Hospital after he was reportedly shot in the head during a training exercise.
The man’s family have been notified and are in mourning according to the Geelong Advertiser.
The man aged in his 20s was reportedly killed by a bullet to the head but Defence Force officials declined to comment on exactly how he died.
‘The soldier was taking part in a routine training activity at the time of the incident,’ it said.
‘He received immediate first aid at the scene and was transported to the Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment.’
It is the second death of a soldier during a training drill in the past week after 21-year-old Stuart Reddan was killed by a falling tree branch last Thursday.
Mr Redden was the passenger in an armoured personnel carrier when the freak accident occurred.
Northern Territory Police major crime unit and forensics were sent to the Mount Bundey training facility to investigate.
The soldier was rushed to Royal Darwin Hospital but did not survive, the ADF confirmed.
It is a deep shock to the orgaisation and will be felt by the broader Army family,’ it said.
The last soldier to be accidentally shot dead in training was Commando Mason Edwards, 30, who was hit by bullets passing through a wall he crouched behind.
That incident saw the ADF fined $220,000 for not maintaining a safe workplace or correct supervision, and prompted it to change its live-fire training regulations.
The facility is frequently used by Australian military along with U.S. Marines stationed in Darwin and visiting foreign forces.
His next of kin was notified and are being supported by the army.
‘The Chief of Army and Army commanders acknowledge the gravity of this and recent incidents and take all matters relating to personnel and training very seriously.’
‘The Army has instigated a suspension of training activities across its combat brigades to review risk assessment processes and training safety management.
Source: Victoria soldier Jason Challis killed in training exercise | Daily Mail Online
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