Flags to fly at half mast for fallen soldier

Private Kirifi Mila joined the New Zealand Army in 2006. Photo / NZDF

Flags will fly at half mast at Returned Services Associations around New Zealand tomorrow as former soldiers mourn the death of Private Kirifi Mila.

The 27-year-old died when the Humvee vehicle he was in rolled down a steep 30m cliff in Afghanistan's north east Bamiyan province yesterday.

He was the sixth New Zealand soldier killed in Afghanistan.

Three other soldiers were injured in the crash.

RSA National President Don McIver said Private Mila made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of his country.

"Private Kirifi Mila was a popular young man and we feel his loss.

"Our deepest sympathies are with all those who loved and cared for Private Mila - his family, friends and comrades. Our thoughts are also with the three injured soldiers and their families."

The accident which killed Private Mila happened about midday local time on Tuesday (9pm NZT) while the soldiers were on a routine patrol near Ferosak village, 14km east of their base in Bamiyan.

In December last year, John 'Jack' Howard was serving with the British military when he was killed by a suspected incident of 'friendly fire' from a United States aircraft.

Feilding-raised soldier Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell, 28, was killed in a fierce firefight in Afghanistan last August.

He was the only soldier serving with the New Zealand military to be killed in overseas combat in 10 years.

In March last year, a New Zealand-born soldier in the Australian army, Corporal Mathew Hopkins, 21, of Christchurch, was shot dead in an intense fire-fight with Taleban insurgents near the village of Kakarak, 12km north of the Australian base at Tarin Kowt.

Former Aucklander Sean Patrick McCarthy, 25, a member of the Australian Special Air Service Regiment, was killed when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb in 2008.

Labour leader Phil Goff's nephew, US Army Captain Matthew Ferrara, was killed in Afghanistan in 2007.

'Colourful character' will be sorely missed

Private Mila - also known as Cliff - was born in Western Samoa and joined the New Zealand Army in 2006. He was deployed to Afghanistan last year as part of the 2nd 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment based in Burnham Military Camp.

He had been due to return to New Zealand in April.

"Private Mila was a popular member of the unit who was well known as a colourful character. He will be sorely missed by his comrades," a Defence Force Statement said.

Private Mila's brother is also a member of the New Zealand Army.

'Tragic accident'

Prime Minister John Key said he was shocked and saddened at Private Mila's death.

"This is a tragic accident and my heart goes out to the family of Private Mila. Our Defence Force in Afghanistan is operating in a dangerous and difficult environment in order to help the Afghan people.

"To have one of our own die in a road crash is heart-breaking news."

Mr Key later told media he stood by the decision to maintain a New Zealand presence in Afghanistan until the job there was done.

He expressed shock at Pvt Mila's death but said it was not a reason to pull troops out of Afghanistan.

"This was the result of an accident, and motor vehicle accidents do happen," Mr Key said.

"As tragic as it deeply is that we've lost this young man, I don't think that we should change course as a result of his death.

"In fact, I think we honour his death by ensuring we do everything we can, and, in the case of Bamiyan, to make sure we can hand over that province to Afghan control, but in a way where all of the good works that we've done in the last decade can bear fruit in years to come."

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said news of the crash was "tragic".

"The life of every New Zealand soldier is precious, not only to their own family but to the wider Defence family and the country they serve, he said.

"Private Mila was a fine member of the Defence Force who has served his country well, and has now paid the ultimate price while doing his duty.

"At this time we should all reflect on the price of his service."

Fatal patrol

Dr Mapp told media this morning the Humvee Private Mila had been travelling in was part of a four-vehicle humanitarian patrol.

The purpose of the patrol was to engage with the locals and show their presence in the area.

The chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Richard Rhys Jones, said Private Mila was the gunner who was on top of the vehicle.

"I spoke to his family this morning. They are upset. They are still coming to terms with the grief and the loss. It's always difficult when there is a death away form the family," Lieutenant General Jones said.

"You can imagine, it's a huge shock to the family," Dr Mapp said.

"It's so much more difficult when your loved one is thousands of miles away."

A sergeant was left with broken ribs after the crash and a private with serious head injuries including a fractured skull and damaged eye socket. Another private was shocked but without serious injury.

The sergeant was in a stable condition. The private with head injuries had been operated on, but remained in a serious condition.

They will be evacuated to Germany to the Nato hospital and later return to New Zealand.

Lieutenant General Jones said the crash was not connected with any insurgent activity and was an unfortunate road accident in a a steep and rocky area with treacherous roads.

"We emphasise driver training. There are difficult roads."

Lieutenant General Jones said it was not yet known if the road collapsed, or if there was driver error but that the Defence Force would conduct a thorough investigation.

The soldiers were well trained, but it was impossible to remove all the risks, he said.

"Everybody in the military understands the dangers they go through. But it's never easy to go through loss. Our sympathies go out to the families. It's never easy," Lieutenant General Jones said.

Gillard pays tribute

Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard paid tribute to Private Mila when she gave an historic address in the House this morning.

The New Zealand and Australian flags were flying at half-mast when she arrived at Parliament.

"The Anzac legend is not confined to records and books - it is a living story," she told Parliament. "The Anzac spirit lives on in the most strategically difficult theatre of our time - Afghanistan."

Ms Gillard said Australia grieved the loss of New Zealand soldiers as if they were their own.

"Australia has many alliances and friends around the world ... but New Zealand alone is family."

- with NZPA