Family of soldier killed in training at Wainwright has questions

The relatives of a young soldier killed inAlberta say they have questions about how he died but are too distraught to publicly ask them now.

Pte. Steven Allen was standing in a lookout tower at the CanadianForces training base in Wainwright, when the structure collapsedMonday. The 20-year-old from Victoria later died in hospital.

Another soldier who was also in the tower at the time was treatedfor minor injuries.

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A military spokesman has said the wooden tower was perched on topof a metal storage container. He provided no other details as thecircumstances of what happened are under investigation.

"We are heartbroken and have many unanswered questions about howthis accident occurred," Allen's family said in a statement Friday.

"These tragic circumstances have taken us all by surprise. Inthe future, we will be more than willing to discuss the
circumstances regarding this tragedy. However, at the moment, we askfor some privacy so that we can continue our grieving process."

The family said it was Allen's dream to serve his country and,despite many obstacles, he never gave up.

He joined the military last fall and completed his basic trainingearlier this year. He was training at Wainwright to become a fullyqualified infantry soldier in the regular forces. His family said he was a member of the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian LightInfantry based in Shilo, Man.

"During the past year, Steven transformed from a boy into theman that we all know and are so proud of. He was strong, brave andhappier in this last year than ever before. When he joined theForces, he gained a whole new family and we want to acknowledge hismilitary brothers and sisters and the loss they are feeling rightnow.

"He died a soldier, a warrior. We love you Steven."

Allen is the second soldier to die this year while training at CFB Wainwright, about 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton. Lt.-Col.Dan Bobbitt was killed when the light armoured vehicle he was inrolled during training manoeuvres in May. Four other soldiers werehurt in the same accident.