Both Canadian soldiers killed in blast identified
Updated Thu. Aug. 23 2007 9:55 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNe...soldier_deaths_070823/20070823?hub=TopStories
Both Canadian soldiers killed after a roadside bomb struck their LAV-III armoured vehicle in southern Afghanistan have now been identified.
Master Warrant Officer Mario Mercier, a member of 2nd Bataillon, Royal 22nd Regiment and Master Cpl. Christian Duchesne, of the 5th Field Ambulance, were both killed in Wednesday's incident -- which occurred at 6:19 a.m. local time. An Afghan interpreter was also killed.
Master Cpl. Christian Duchesne, left, and Master Warrant Office Mario Mercier are seen in these images made available by the Canadian Forces Combat Camera.
The deaths came following the first major combat operation in Zhari district -- about 50 kilometres west of Kandahar city -- conducted by Bravo Company of the 3rd Battalion, part of the Quebec-based Royal 22nd Regiment popularly known as the Van Doos.
No Canadians were injured in the actual combat, and soldiers then took control of a strategic hill.
Canadian troops then discovered a massive IED that created a 20-metre-high fireball when detonated. Another undiscovered IED caused the deaths.
That blast also injured another soldier and a reporter and his cameraman.
Radio Canada reporter Patrice Roy, 44, spoke to CTV News following the incident and said he had been writing his report before the blast occurred.
"I was writing my standup just seconds before the blast and it was a huge, huge blast... I was pushed," he said. "It's a scene that's difficult to imagine, people were not panicking but it was so serious."
Roy is suffering from nervous shock and his cameraman, Charles Dubois, has had to undergo surgery for a serious leg injury.
Roy and Dubois and the injured soldier have been flown to Germany for treatment.
Reacting to the latest Canadian casualties, Prime Minister Stephen Harper called it "a very sad day."
"These soldiers gave their life helping to bring stability and security to Afghanistan," Harper said in a statement. "We will always remember them."
The two soldiers' deaths bring Canada's military total to 69 since 2002. A diplomat has also been killed.
The Van Doos suffered the first death of their deployment on Sunday. Pte. Simon Longtin, 23, of Longueil, Que. died when the vehicle carrying him struck a roadside bomb. His body arrived back in Canada on Wednesday.
With files from CTV's Denelle Balfour and The Canadian Press
A Canadian Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) is seen in this file photo while travelling in a convoy near Kandahar in Afghanistan. (Steve Chao / CTV News)
Updated Thu. Aug. 23 2007 9:55 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNe...soldier_deaths_070823/20070823?hub=TopStories
Both Canadian soldiers killed after a roadside bomb struck their LAV-III armoured vehicle in southern Afghanistan have now been identified.
Master Warrant Officer Mario Mercier, a member of 2nd Bataillon, Royal 22nd Regiment and Master Cpl. Christian Duchesne, of the 5th Field Ambulance, were both killed in Wednesday's incident -- which occurred at 6:19 a.m. local time. An Afghan interpreter was also killed.
Master Cpl. Christian Duchesne, left, and Master Warrant Office Mario Mercier are seen in these images made available by the Canadian Forces Combat Camera.
The deaths came following the first major combat operation in Zhari district -- about 50 kilometres west of Kandahar city -- conducted by Bravo Company of the 3rd Battalion, part of the Quebec-based Royal 22nd Regiment popularly known as the Van Doos.
No Canadians were injured in the actual combat, and soldiers then took control of a strategic hill.
Canadian troops then discovered a massive IED that created a 20-metre-high fireball when detonated. Another undiscovered IED caused the deaths.
That blast also injured another soldier and a reporter and his cameraman.
Radio Canada reporter Patrice Roy, 44, spoke to CTV News following the incident and said he had been writing his report before the blast occurred.
"I was writing my standup just seconds before the blast and it was a huge, huge blast... I was pushed," he said. "It's a scene that's difficult to imagine, people were not panicking but it was so serious."
Roy is suffering from nervous shock and his cameraman, Charles Dubois, has had to undergo surgery for a serious leg injury.
Roy and Dubois and the injured soldier have been flown to Germany for treatment.
Reacting to the latest Canadian casualties, Prime Minister Stephen Harper called it "a very sad day."
"These soldiers gave their life helping to bring stability and security to Afghanistan," Harper said in a statement. "We will always remember them."
The two soldiers' deaths bring Canada's military total to 69 since 2002. A diplomat has also been killed.
The Van Doos suffered the first death of their deployment on Sunday. Pte. Simon Longtin, 23, of Longueil, Que. died when the vehicle carrying him struck a roadside bomb. His body arrived back in Canada on Wednesday.
With files from CTV's Denelle Balfour and The Canadian Press
A Canadian Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) is seen in this file photo while travelling in a convoy near Kandahar in Afghanistan. (Steve Chao / CTV News)
