NCO killed in explosion at Waiouru

John Key on soldier death

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Flight Sergeant Andrew Bruce Forster, a 27-year New Zealand Air Force veteran, was killed in a 'freak' explosion at the Waiouru Military Camp.

NCO killed in explosion

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A senior Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer killed while marking artillery rounds for disposal has been named.

Flight Sergeant Andrew Bruce Forster was a 27-year veteran with a wife and three children and had recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan.

Flight Sergeant Forster, a member of the Defence Force's explosive ordinance disposal squad, was killed in what Air Force Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott described as a 'freak' explosion at the Waiouru Military Camp in the central North Island today.

He was killed as he and another Air force sergeant were marking the location of an unexploded 105 millimetre shell they had stumbled across the day before.

Flight Sergeant Forster was putting a wooden stake in the ground near the shell as part of standard practice when the explosion occurred.

Vice-Marshal Lintott said the shell was believed to have a killing distance of 50 metres and could cause shrapnel damage up to 250 metres away.

Flight Sergeant Forster's companion, who received only minor injuries, was in a state of shock and was extremely fortunate to survive.

Following the explosion the injured sergeant had radioed for help, but it was too late as Flight Sergeant Forster died on impact.

It was not known how long the shell had been there, but Vice-Marshal Lintott said it had been covered in rust.

He said some shells once fired failed to detonate and buried themselves but some eventually worked their way to the surface as in this case.

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said Flight Sergeant Forster's death demonstrated the danger members of the Defence Force were under every day.

"He was undertaking particularly hazardous work with unexploded munitions. It is a tragic day for the New Zealand Defence Force. There will be a full inquiry, but he was essentially marking munitions for later disposal. Its an inherently dangerous task.''

The Defence Force said the incident occurred in a training area at Waiouru Military Camp, about 9.30am this morning.

Prime Minister John Key has expressed his sympathy over the man's death.

"My condolences go out to the family.

"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 Leader Phil Goff said his heart went out to the families and friends of the victims of the explosion.

"As a former Minister of Defence, I am well aware of the dangers that our military personnel face every day." Mr Goff said.

"These dangers also apply during military exercises. Our military personnel know these dangers, but that does not lessen tragedies such as the one that occurred today."

- With NZPA