Shockwaves at airman's death

A Manawatu airman killed in a training accident at the Waiouru Military Camp has been remembered as a keen father who, in between overseas deployments, always found the time to lend a hand on his children's school camps.

Flight Sergeant Andrew Forster, 46, of Palmerston North, died when an old artillery shell exploded on the training area at the Central North Island base yesterday.

Flight Sergeant Forster had earlier marked the location of the shell with a stake, and was just two metres away when it exploded.

A father of three with 27 years' experience in the military, Flight Sergeant Forster specialised in armaments and had served with the bomb disposal team in the Bamiyan province of Afghanistan.

Flight Sergeant Forster was based at the Ohakea Air Force Base, near Sanson, and had previously worked on Skyhawks.

His family asked for their privacy to be respected when approached by the Manawatu Standard, but Newbury school principal Anne Lye said Flight Sergeant Forster had an innate ability to engage with school children.

The Standard understands at least two of Flight Sergeant Forster's three children attended the school – although they have now left.

"He was a wonderful person – very committed to his family and his children and always willing to be involved in school camps," Mrs Lye said.

Flight Sergeant Forster was particularly strong at encouraging children through difficult activities such as abseiling, she said.

It is understood that friends and family of Flight Sergeant Forster were gathering at his house, on the outskirts of Palmerston North.

Another air force sergeant was injured when the 105mm shell exploded yesterday.

He escaped serious injury, but was reported to be in a state of shock.

Air Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott said the "freak" explosion had sent shockwaves through the entire Defence Force.

"We've lost a very well-liked and respected flight sergeant and as a Defence Force family we all share this grief."

Air Vice-Marshal Lintott said the shell had a killing distance of 50m and could cause shrapnel damage up to 250m away. The air force had now turned its focus to supporting Flight Sergeant Forster's family, friends and colleagues, he said. Tributes flooded in for Flight Sergeant Forster yesterday, with Prime Minister John Key offering his condolences.

"I think the brave men and women of the New Zealand military constantly threaten their lives as they go about their duties and it's a tragic case when a New Zealander is lost in the service of his country."

Labour Party leader Phil Goff said the death was another example of the dangers the military put themselves in on a daily basis. "Our military personnel know these dangers, but that does not lessen tragedies such as the one that occurred today. My heart goes out to the families and friends of the victims of the explosion."

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said there would be an inquiry into the death.

- © Fairfax NZ News