Media Room: Media Releases

TWO AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS WOUNDED IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN

Two Australian soldiers serving with the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) were wounded when the vehicle they were travelling in struck an improvised explosive device (IED) in southern Afghanistan on Saturday morning, Australian time.

One soldier was seriously wounded, requiring immediate helicopter evacuation to a coalition medical facility.  The other soldier suffered minor wounds and was later evacuated to Tarin Kowt where he will be rested before further medical assessments are made to determine his ability to resume duties.

The next of kin of both soldiers have been notified.

The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, said the seriously wounded soldier was stabilised at coalition medical facilities in Afghanistan and would be flown to Germany for further treatment.

“This brave soldier received very serious wounds to his lower limbs.  He also sustained less serious wounds to other parts of his body,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

“It appears the immediate first aid that his mates applied, and the surgery he received at the coalition hospital saved his life.

“He remains seriously ill and in intensive care, but is responding to treatment.  We will now wait to hear from doctors in Germany to provide an update on the soldier’s condition.”

Defence will not provide further information on this incident at this stage as operations are ongoing and release of additional information could jeopardise the safety of those who remain in the field.

Personal details of the wounded soldiers will not be released.

Media contact:

Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664