[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Four Canadians killed by roadside bomb in Afghanistan





A Bison vehicle, one of the different vehicles Canadians use in Afghanistan. The soldiers killed were driving in a G-Wagon. (CPimages/Murray Brewster)
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Four Canadian soldiers have been killed today in a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan.

Three of them died at the scene in Gumbad, about 70 kilometres north of Kandahar.

A fourth was transported to hospital from the scene but died a short time later.

The dead are Corporal Matthew Dinning who was stationed at Petawawa, Ontario, Bombadier Myles Mansell of Victoria and Lieutenant William stationed at Edmonton.

One of the names is being withheld at the request of the family.

The soldiers were travelling in a G-Wagon as part of a mixed convoy of vehicles when the blast happened, at about 7:30 a-m local time.

Brigidier-General David Fraser says they were engaging with locals in the region to "establish the legitimate authority of the Afghan government."


He says the enemy will attack, but the local residents are extremely happy to have coalition soldiers helping them.

Fraser says the Canadians will not be pushed away by the Taliban.