A VERY PREVENTABLE DEATH

Army failed Michael Ross - family

The family of Private Michael Victor Ross, who lost his life in a training accident on Lake Moawhango, near Waiouru, on September 25 last year are holding the Chief of Army, Major General David Gawn, responsible.

"We hold you and your office responsible for the death of our son, grandson, brother, partner, nephew and cousin," the family said in a statement after last week's conviction of the Army in the District Court at Auckland and the releasing of a damning report from the Army's Court of Inquiry.

"It is your job to ensure not only the safety of the nation but the safety of your team," they said.

"And you [Major General Gawn] failed, your team failed. It is your job to ensure that the safety manuals are in place and that they are followed, not half-heartedly, not when it suits but all the time, every day and in every way. And, sir, you failed."

Michael's family (many of whom live in the Kaitaia area) had contributed many of its members to armed service, and had every right to expect that Michael would be protected and returned safely to the arms of his family.

The whanau had been "enfolded, cossetted and pampered' since the accident, but while that was acknowledged it was no more than should have been expected.

"We should not view this as something special but as something required, ethically, legally and humanely," the family said, but many questions about why what happened had happened remained unanswered.

In a separate statement the family said Michael had been an important and special member of the whanau whose passing was mourned daily.

"Our family tree lost a very special branch that day; the hopes and dreams we his whanau had for him, the hopes and dreams he had for his future with a wonderful woman who he had made commitments to, all lost in the blink of an eye, and for this we mourn," they said.

"How do you explain the conversation Michael had with his mum on day 6 (of the search) where he expressed his anger, his disappointment and his sense of frustration about what happened to him, Michael saying 'Sorry Mum, but this has to be for something'?" The next day he was found."

The aroha and manaaki the family received from the moment Michael's Army family came into contact with the whanau had been wonderful, but the circumstances that led to his death were a sad reflection on the Army that he had called family and home for three years.

The family made it clear that they were not seeking individual retribution, and that if charges were laid the whanau would like to provide support for those charged.

They also acknowledged and accepted Major General Gawn's accepting full responsibility for the tragedy, for his remorse, his empathy and the manner in which he interacted with the whanau.

"We have heard and received in good faith the commitments made by Major General Gawn that changes will be made, that Private Michael Victor Ross' death has not been in vain. That those past, present and future will reclaim the proud heritage of the New Zealand Army, a place where mediocrity will not have a home," they added. "To our son Michael Victor Ross, we love you and miss you daily. Know that we will always be proud of you. Thank you for blessing our lives, and may all that you sacrificed be treated with the love and respect it is due, to ensure that no other member of the Army family suffers unduly."