Training accident in Bamiyan

[ngatimozart]

Bullet ricocheted into eye

A Burnham soldier is receiving medical treatment after what is believed to be a bullet ricocheted into his eye while on a live firing range.

The Defence Force confirmed the incident happened at a practice range in Bamiyan Province, Afghanistan, on Monday.

Defence said the soldier, from Burnham-based 2nd/1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, was injured when an "unknown object, possibly a ricochet, penetrated his protective eyewear and entered his eye".

Colleagues gave him treatment on the scene before he was airlifted to Bagram Air Base for "exploratory surgery".

The soldier is said to be in a stable condition and will be transferred to Landstuhl Military Hospital in Germany for ongoing treatment.

The soldier’s next of kin had been informed.

The Defence Force was investigating the incident.

Source: www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8039152/Bullet-ricocheted-into-eye

[Dave Homewood]

My mate who's in the Army was shot in the head by a richochet about three years back while working in the butts at one of the firing ranges. It makes for an interesting bar story now, but scary.

[ngatimozart]

Is he ok now Dave?

[Dave Homewood]

Yes he is fine, just a cut and bruise I think, although he did get carted to hospital. He reckons it's the most exciting thing in his Army career, which he hates and says is exceedingly dull as they never send him anywhere. He's at Linton.