-
Tim O'Donnell - Source: Supplied -
Watch Video
-
Related
The Defence Force has named the New Zealand soldier killed in an attack in Afghanistan overnight. He was Lieutenant Timothy O'Donnell from the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
The 28-year-old soldier from Feilding died when his patrol in the north-east of the Bamiyan province came under a "complex" attack along a notorious stretch of road that borders the neighbouring and more violent province of Baglan.
Two other New Zealand soldiers were injured in the attack and are said to have serious, but not life threatening injuries, including burns, cuts and abrasions.
A local interpreter taking part in the patrol had also been wounded.
Ultimate sacrifice
In paying tribute to O'Donnell, Defence Force chief Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae said he made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of his nation.
"In his five-year career he's carved out a distinguished career in uniform," he said.
He reiterated his "deepest sympathies" to O'Donnell's family.
O'Donnell was said to have loved his job, and knew the risks that were involved in being a soldier. He enlisted in the New Zealand Army in January 2005 where he attended Officer Cadet School, graduating in December 2005 and posting to 1st Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
He was posted to Burnham in May 2008 and on to 2/1 RNZIR in August 2009. He deployed to Timor Leste in November 2006 and Afghanistan in April this year.
ONE News was with him just five weeks ago in Bamiyan. As the commander of a 12-strong reconstruction team, his responsibility was training the Afghan national police.
"Some areas are more dangerous than others and we take more precautions. For example we wouldn't go there with one vehicle, we'd go with three or four," he said at the time.
O'Donnell was a decorated officer. Two years ago he was awarded the distinguished Service Decoration for rescuing locals and police from an attack in Timor Leste, almost certainly saving their lives.
Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said he had received the "distinguished decoration, which is unusual for someone of his rank, for his cool and steadfast leadership".
"Today we mourn his loss. Our thoughts are with his family."
Prime Minister John Key has also expressed his condolences over the death.
"It is with enormous sadness that I acknowledge that this soldier has paid a high price," he said.
Key said the soldier's contribution and that of all New Zealand Defence Force personnel should never be underestimated.
He has also requested all government and public buildings lower their flags to half mast for the rest of the day.
Co-ordinated attack
O'Donnell was one of up to a dozen people in a four-car convoy, which was attacked less than half an hour after leaving a village.
Air Vice Marshal Peter Stockwell said today that the attack was well planned and co-ordinated.
There was accurate fire from at least two locations and he added air support was not able to be used to help the New Zealand patrol because of bad weather conditions.
An improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated in the incident, followed by an 20-30 minute attack using rocket powered grenades and other small arms fire.
The New Zealand soldiers returned fire before pulling out of the area, but the Defence Force said it was unclear if any insurgents were killed or wounded.
Those responsible are still unknown although it's expected the Taliban were behind it.
Mateparae said today was the first time an IED had resulted in New Zealand casualties.
"It is a constant and persistent threat to the soldiers who are operating in Bamiyan," he said.
Mateparae said they were now in the process of working out how they would repatriate the body of O'Donnell and the wounded soldiers back to New Zealand.
The fatality was New Zealand's first combat death in Afghanistan since New Zealand's troops were deployed there in 2003.
The 16th rotation of the NZPRT, commanded by Colonel John Boswell arrived in Afghanistan in April and were expected to remain in the country for about six months.
New Zealand also has Special Air Service personnel serving in Afghanistan.
Latest NZ News Video
-
Kiwi speaks to TVNZ7 from Everest base camp (1:59)
-
Immigration advisor Bill Milnes discusses claims (4:34)
-
Dance to save Shakti service (0:41)
