A military search and rescue technician has died in an accident during a training exercise near Yorkton.
On March 8, Master-Corporal Alfred Barr, a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron based at 17 Wing Winnipeg lost his life when his parachute failed to open, military sources have revealed.
An invesitgation into why this happened is ongoing.
鈥淥n behalf of all 17 Wing Winnipeg and the entire RCAF, I would like to express my condolences to Master-Corporal Alfred Barr鈥檚 family, friends and fellow service members,鈥� said Colonel Andy Cook, 17 Wing Commander. 鈥淢aster-Corporal Barr was a valuable member of 435 Squadron鈥檚 Search and Rescue team, and he will be deeply missed.鈥�
Similar tributes were issued by General Jonathan Vance, chief of National Defence staff, and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan.
Colonel Cook is scheduled to hold a press conference this afternoon (Thursday).
According to Barr鈥檚 Facebook profile, he was from Lethbridge, Alberta and was engaged to be married.
There was an outpouring of personal remembrances on the social media site.
鈥淵ou are one of the purest, most whimsical souls I've ever met,鈥� wrote Chana Trudel in a public post. 鈥淵ou made me smile and inspired me. I truly looked forward to every new update of the amazing things you were accomplishing in life.鈥�
