Soldier shot during training at SAS facility 'recovering well'
Thursday, 23 May 2019
A soldier who was shot during a training activity at the SAS facility in south Auckland has been released from hospital.
The soldier, a man in his 20s from the the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, was 'recovering well' after the incident which happened on Tuesday afternoon, a New Zealand Defence Force spokeswoman confirmed on Thursday.
In a statement the NZDF said the training activity was not part of the United States-New Zealand training exercise being held in the area.
The NZDF spokeswoman said live ammunition was used in highly controlled training activities.
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'Various combat scenarios are simulated to ensure personnel are well trained for all situations and conditions.
'Training will resume as soon as initial investigations at the scene of the incident have been completed,' she said.
Restrictions were in place until June 1 on live field-firing activities, the spokeswoman confirmed.
The incident came just weeks after Lance Corporal Nicholas Kahotea, an SAS trooper, died after an incident during a training exercise at the site, he was taken by helicopter to Auckland City Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Details of his injuries have not been released, but it is understood he fell from a helicopter while attempting to jump onto a building.
His death is being investigated by police on behalf of the coroner.
The Defence Force will hold its own Court of Inquiry over his death.
A statement from the New Zealand Army said Kahotea would be remembered as 'a soldier, father, friend and proud New Zealander'.
The $46 million Battle Training Facility on Petersons Rd opened in 2016 and has a 360-degree live firing range.
The site also has a huge, reinforced concrete building with special features to simulate real-life battle situations.