Young Aussie digger, 20, from elite regiment dies after being ‘forced’ to undergo intense physical training in ‘extreme heat’ before collapsing from exhaustion
- Australian soldier from 5RAR in Darwin died after collapsing at training exercise
- St John Ambulance said they responded after reports man had heat exhaustion
- The death is the second this month of a soldier who served in the 5RAR
An Australian soldier has died in hospital after he collapsed during a physical training exercise with his elite platoon.
Fellow soldiers from the 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment in Darwin administered CPR after the soldier, 20, fainted on Monday during the training.
Insiders claim the soldier was ‘forced’ to undergo the session despite extreme heat, saying the diggers are ‘exercised to the point of death’.
Weather in Darwin has topped 34C recently, with heavy humidity making the air feel like an insufferable 41C.
The man was rushed to Royal Darwin Hospital where he remained in a coma for three days but passed away on Thursday – marking the second death of a member of 5RAR this month.
A soldier from the 5RAR has died after collapsing on a physical training exercise in Darwin (stock image)
A St John Ambulance spokesperson said they were called after reports the soldier collapsed from heat exhaustion while doing the training exercise.
‘It is with profound grief that the Australian Defence Force confirms the death of an Australian Army soldier in the Northern Territory,’ a spokesman said.
‘We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends, and are providing ongoing welfare support’.
‘While Defence is investigating, the cause of death is yet to be determined by the coroner, therefore it is not appropriate for us to discuss the matter further’.
The spokesperson added they would not be releasing the man’s details out of privacy for his family.
There are also reports the man had a pre-existing medical condition.
A St John Ambulance spokesperson said they responded after reports a man collapsed with heat exhaustion (file image)
Sources told The Daily Telegraph the ambulance took 30 minutes to arrive, and claimed the diggers were forced to train in unbearable conditions.
‘He was forced to do a PT session in extreme heat … he went down with exhaustion and has died,’ one source told publication.
‘In what world should this happen, to be forced to exercise to the point of death?’
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