EDMONTON – A tragic incident occurred on Saturday at CFB Wainwright, located southeast of Edmonton, resulting in the deaths of four military members and leaving dozens injured after a fire broke out. This occurrence adds to a troubling history of fatalities at Canadian military facilities, particularly at CFB Wainwright, known for being a site of various training exercises and operations.
Historically, CFB Wainwright has faced its share of accidents and fatalities throughout the years. In October 2020, a soldier lost his life after sustaining injuries from a gunshot during live-fire training at the base. The soldier was promptly airlifted to an Edmonton hospital but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries the following morning.
Another notable incident occurred in April 2017, when Sgt. Robert J. Dynerowicz of the Royal Canadian Dragoons was killed in a vehicle accident during Exercise Rugged Bear, a training operation held at CFB Wainwright. This accident also resulted in injuries to three additional soldiers, highlighting the dangers associated with military training exercises.
In November 2014, Pte. Steven Allen, aged 20 from Victoria, tragically died when a lookout tower collapsed during infantry training at CFB Wainwright. Fortunately, another soldier who was in the tower during the incident escaped with non-life-threatening injuries.
May 2014 saw the loss of Lt.-Col. Dan Bobbitt, commanding officer of the 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, who died in an accident involving a light-armoured vehicle that rolled over during Exercise Maple Resolve 2014 at CFB Wainwright. This tragic event injured four other soldiers, once again emphasizing the risks inherent in military operations.
Beyond CFB Wainwright, other military-related incidents have also contributed to the toll on life and safety. In March 2014, nine soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry were hospitalized due to a collision involving two military trucks during a training exercise near CFB Shilo in Manitoba.
In January 2011, Cpl. Jean-Michel Deziel died after falling from a roof while installing a telecommunications antenna at CFB Valcartier in Quebec. This incident, while not directly tied to CFB Wainwright, illustrates the dangers faced by military personnel in various roles and locations.
A tragic event in May 2008 involved U.S. Army Specialist Josef Cerfus, aged 25, who was killed during a training exercise at CFB Wainwright when he was struck by a cargo load carried by a Chinook helicopter. His unit was engaged in Exercise Maple Guardian, which aimed to prepare Canadian troops for deployment to Afghanistan.
Another fatal incident in May 2007 involved Cpl. Christopher Deliva, aged 27 from Quebec City, who died when the military truck he was driving rolled over at CFB Wainwright. Deliva had been involved in returning vehicles and equipment following a month-long training exercise for troops gearing up for deployment to Afghanistan.
Finally, May 1999 marked the death of Trooper Kevin Craig Zufelt, aged 30, who was discovered dead in a parked Coyote armoured vehicle during a training exercise at Camp Wainwright. Although he suffered a head injury, the circumstances surrounding his death remained unclear. Notably, nineteen paratroopers were also injured during a night jump earlier in the same training exercise, showcasing the inherent risks faced by military personnel.
This comprehensive account underscores the ongoing challenges and dangers faced by military members during training exercises and operations, particularly at CFB Wainwright, a site that has been marked by several tragic events over the years.
