Private Aidan Goulding, from North Vancouver, was among four Canadian Armed Forces members killed when a fire spread rapidly during a live-fire training exercise at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, Alberta, on October 17.
Another 39 military members sustained injuries, according to the Canadian Armed Forces.
Goulding served with the Edmonton-based 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Members were conducting training as part of Exercise APOLLO SHOOTER when a fire ignited at approximately 4 p.m. MDT.
High winds caused the fire to grow and spread rapidly, overtaking the unit’s administrative area, the military said. The fire also spread beyond the training area’s boundaries.
The other soldiers killed were Sergeant Morgan Wong, Private Shaun Farrell and Private Hayden Lykkemark. Wong was a member of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment serving with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Farrell and Lykkemark were also members of the battalion.
General Jennie Carignan, chief of the defence staff, expressed condolences to the soldiers’ families, friends and colleagues, and thanked first responders and medical teams.
“My thoughts are also with our injured members and their loved ones as they receive care and support,” Carignan said.
Military and civilian emergency services responded to control the fire and assist those affected. The Canadian Armed Forces said it was working with emergency services, local authorities and other partners on the response.
Major-General Wade Rutland, commander of the 1st Canadian Division, said the military was supporting those affected while working to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The releases did not specify what caused the fire or provide details about the severity of the injuries.
