A Victoria soldier who was injured during a training exercise on Monday and later died was following his dream of serving his country, his family says.
In a statement released through the Armed Forces on Friday, Pte. Steven Allen’s family thanked the military and the hospital staff where Allen was treated for their help and care.
The family asked for privacy while they grieve but said: “We are heartbroken and have many unanswered questions about how this accident occurred. … These tragic circumstances have taken us all by surprise.”
Allen, 20, joined the military last fall after graduating from Victoria High School. He was in training at the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre in Wainwright, Alta.
About noon Monday, Allen and another soldier were on top of a lookout tower made of plywood, on top of a metal structure, and surrounded by sandbags, when the structure collapsed during a tactical exercise.
Allen was airlifted to University of Alberta Hospital, and later died of his injuries. The other soldier was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The military did not say what the circumstances of the structure collapse were.
The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service will investigate and there will likely be a board of inquiry investigation as well.
Allen’s family said he had wanted to live the military life and to serve his country since a young age and was following his dream by training to be an infantryman.
“During the past year, Steven transformed from a boy into the man that we all know and are so proud of. He was strong, brave and happier in this last year than ever before,” they said.
“When he joined the Forces, he gained a whole new family and we want to acknowledge his military brothers and sisters and the loss they are feeling right now. He died a soldier, a warrior.”
