New Zealand suffered its first fatality in East Timor yesterday, when a soldier from the First Battalion was killed as the road collapsed under his truck.
He was Warrant Officer Class Two Tony Michael Walser, aged 37, of Linton, near Palmerston North.
There were no other soldiers in the vehicle and no one else was injured.
The accident happened about 8km from the border with West Timor in the Suai region, where the New Zealand battalion has operated for the past two months.
It is believed the road collapsed under the military vehicle, causing it to roll down a 6m bank.
The truck was one of two transporting gravel from a nearby quarry.
Joint Commander Brigadier Lou Gardiner said an investigation was under way.
Prime Minister Jenny Shipley said New Zealanders' hearts went out to the family of the dead serviceman.
"I feel deeply for his family and friends as they receive this terrible news."
- NZPA
Soldier dies in Timor
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