Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 28, 2006 20:28:37 GMT 12
From Scoop
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3650267a10,00.html
Kiwi hero foils attack by bomber
28 April 2006
By KIM THOMAS and BRITTON BROUN
A Burnham soldier is being hailed as a hero after saving the lives of two international peacekeepers by evading a suicide bomber trying to drive into their vehicle in Egypt.
Private Joshua Roewen, 21, was driving a vehicle carrying two other members of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) on the Sinai Peninsula on Wednesday when a suicide bomber veered towards them.
Roewen, 21, managed to swerve away from the bomber's car, which subsequently exploded, killing the driver.
Defence Force spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mike Shatford said the vehicle driven by Roewen was damaged but, because of his decisive action, neither he nor his passengers, believed to be Egyptian and Norwegian soldiers, were injured.
"Private Roewen's quick actions assisted in getting the vehicle away from the danger area," Shatford said. "He took evasive action and was able to get out of the way and avoid injury."
The incident was one of two suicide attacks targeting security personnel in northern Sinai, two days after triple bombings killed at least 18 people in a resort further south.
Shatford said Roewen did not want to talk to the media about the incident, but "just wants to get on with the job".
While Roewen was shaken by the experience, he was coping well and would see out the rest of his deployment.
Shatford said Roewen's supervisor would interview witnesses to determine whether Roewen should receive an official acknowledgement of his bravery.
Roewen was deployed to the MFO in February, his first overseas posting during his three years in the army. He is one of 26 New Zealand peacekeepers among 2000 representatives from countries around the world based on the Sinai Peninsula.
Roewen's Christchurch-based girlfriend, Hayley Sparks, said she was extremely proud of him.
Sparks, who spoke to Roewen within hours of the attempted bombing, said her boyfriend – a "gentle giant" – was determined to stay on the Sinai Peninsula until the end of his posting.
"He told me he was OK and not to worry, but he wasn't leaving and letting him (the suicide bomber) get to him," she said.
The recent violence on the Sinai Peninsula had surprised Roewen, who expected the mission to be less eventful.
"He knew there would be some threat, but he didn't expect there to be bombers," Sparks said.
She said Roewen's peacekeeping assignment was his first time overseas. "He was pretty excited about the whole thing and looking forward to getting to see things like the Pyramids."
His mother, Lynda Roewen, said he did not mention much when he called her after the incident, just that his vehicle had been attacked and that he was all right.
"He wouldn't make a big deal about doing anything heroic. It's just part of the job. He's that sort of kid," she said.
She said her son could be quiet, but was always in control, and she was not surprised at his quick actions.
"I know when it comes to the crunch he'll give his all. He takes being in the army very seriously. It's a long-term career and he loves it," she said from her home in Bulls, near Palmerston North.
Roewen's Burnham supervisor, Major Marcus Linehan, said Roewen was a well-liked team member and a dedicated soldier.
Competition had been fierce for the Egyptian MFO posting and Roewen's success showed his skill as a soldier, Linehan said.
The posting has in the past been regarded as a relatively safe one, but in the years since the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, the area has become increasingly dangerous.
There are more than 600 New Zealand Defence Force personnel involved in peacekeeping around the world. Since 2000, 21 New Zealanders have been injured, maimed or killed performing their peacekeeping duties.
Shatford said that because of the dangers in many of the peacekeeping areas, the Defence Force had increased security for its personnel.
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3650267a10,00.html
Kiwi hero foils attack by bomber
28 April 2006
By KIM THOMAS and BRITTON BROUN
A Burnham soldier is being hailed as a hero after saving the lives of two international peacekeepers by evading a suicide bomber trying to drive into their vehicle in Egypt.
Private Joshua Roewen, 21, was driving a vehicle carrying two other members of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) on the Sinai Peninsula on Wednesday when a suicide bomber veered towards them.
Roewen, 21, managed to swerve away from the bomber's car, which subsequently exploded, killing the driver.
Defence Force spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mike Shatford said the vehicle driven by Roewen was damaged but, because of his decisive action, neither he nor his passengers, believed to be Egyptian and Norwegian soldiers, were injured.
"Private Roewen's quick actions assisted in getting the vehicle away from the danger area," Shatford said. "He took evasive action and was able to get out of the way and avoid injury."
The incident was one of two suicide attacks targeting security personnel in northern Sinai, two days after triple bombings killed at least 18 people in a resort further south.
Shatford said Roewen did not want to talk to the media about the incident, but "just wants to get on with the job".
While Roewen was shaken by the experience, he was coping well and would see out the rest of his deployment.
Shatford said Roewen's supervisor would interview witnesses to determine whether Roewen should receive an official acknowledgement of his bravery.
Roewen was deployed to the MFO in February, his first overseas posting during his three years in the army. He is one of 26 New Zealand peacekeepers among 2000 representatives from countries around the world based on the Sinai Peninsula.
Roewen's Christchurch-based girlfriend, Hayley Sparks, said she was extremely proud of him.
Sparks, who spoke to Roewen within hours of the attempted bombing, said her boyfriend – a "gentle giant" – was determined to stay on the Sinai Peninsula until the end of his posting.
"He told me he was OK and not to worry, but he wasn't leaving and letting him (the suicide bomber) get to him," she said.
The recent violence on the Sinai Peninsula had surprised Roewen, who expected the mission to be less eventful.
"He knew there would be some threat, but he didn't expect there to be bombers," Sparks said.
She said Roewen's peacekeeping assignment was his first time overseas. "He was pretty excited about the whole thing and looking forward to getting to see things like the Pyramids."
His mother, Lynda Roewen, said he did not mention much when he called her after the incident, just that his vehicle had been attacked and that he was all right.
"He wouldn't make a big deal about doing anything heroic. It's just part of the job. He's that sort of kid," she said.
She said her son could be quiet, but was always in control, and she was not surprised at his quick actions.
"I know when it comes to the crunch he'll give his all. He takes being in the army very seriously. It's a long-term career and he loves it," she said from her home in Bulls, near Palmerston North.
Roewen's Burnham supervisor, Major Marcus Linehan, said Roewen was a well-liked team member and a dedicated soldier.
Competition had been fierce for the Egyptian MFO posting and Roewen's success showed his skill as a soldier, Linehan said.
The posting has in the past been regarded as a relatively safe one, but in the years since the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, the area has become increasingly dangerous.
There are more than 600 New Zealand Defence Force personnel involved in peacekeeping around the world. Since 2000, 21 New Zealanders have been injured, maimed or killed performing their peacekeeping duties.
Shatford said that because of the dangers in many of the peacekeeping areas, the Defence Force had increased security for its personnel.
