PETAWAWA, Ont. — The family of a Canadian Forces soldier who died when his light armoured vehicle rolled over is thanking the country for its sympathy and support.
Lt. Col. Dan Bobbitt’s widow Monica says her husband was a soldier who loved his work.
She says he was deeply honoured to command the 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, based in Petawawa, Ont.
Bobbitt was killed and four soldiers were injured Wednesday when their vehicle, known as a LAV III, rolled over during a training exercise at CFB Wainwright in Alberta.
Monica Bobbitt says the family is grateful for what she says is an incredible outpouring of support from family, friends, the military and the country.
Military officials have not released many details about the accident, but are investigating.
Bobbitt began his military career in Nova Scotia. He served in Bosnia, Afghanistan and worked as a liaison officer during the floods in Manitoba in 1997.
“Dan was a loving and devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend,” his widow said at a brief news conference outside regimental headquarters.
“A proud Nova Scotian, Canadian and soldier, Dan died doing the job he loved.”
The rollover has raised fresh concerns about the LAV III, an eight-wheeled, heavily armed and armoured utility vehicle that served as the backbone of Canada’s war in Afghanistan.
There were a number of similar rollover incidents during the Afghan mission.
The Wainwright accident comes with the LAV III fleet in the process of a $1-billion upgrade to improve the vehicle’s stability, armour and electronics.