Canadian soldier killed, 7 wounded in Afghanistan
Last Updated: Sunday, September 7, 2008 | 1:00 PM ET Comments343Recommend206CBC News
One Canadian soldier was killed and seven others wounded Sunday during a roadside bomb explosion in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province, a military official said.
Sgt. Prescott (Scott) Shipway was killed after his armoured vehicle struck a roadside bomb during a security patrol in the Panjwaii district of southern Afghanistan. (DND)
Sgt. Scott Shipway died after his armoured vehicle struck an improvised explosive device during a security patrol around 12:30 p.m. local time, said Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson.
The wounded soldiers were reported in good condition and were well enough to telephone their families.
"The Afghan National Army helped secure the scene and the Canadian casualties were moved to the closest safe area," Thompson told reporters at Kandahar Airfield.
Shipway, originally from Saskatchewan, was with the 2nd Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Man. He was on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan and was just days away from returning home, military officials said.
They said he will be remembered by his friends as a dedicated father and Saskatchewan Roughriders fan, as well as a strong platoon leader who served in Bosnia, Kosovo and Cyprus.
"The troops in his platoon loved him and referred to him as Papa Shipway. He was very loyal to his friends and his motto was 'Never let a comrade down,'" Thompson said.
The latest fatality brings to 97 the number of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2002.
One of the injured was my Newphew. This is his second tour, & his last.
He didn't get to phone home until this morning.They were keeping him sedated as he had some bad facial injuries, & is pretty stitched up. BUT he's going to be ok, just made for a long long night waiting to hear.
He lost so many friends from his Shilo troop, and Sgt. Prescott (Scott) Shipway was sat right next to him.
They are all pretty shook, as are we.
I spoke to Christopher the day they were told they had to do one more mission before they left for home.
I had a bad feeling as we chatted, then 3 were killed, & now this.
Will these people, and I use the term loosely, ever evolve?
