Four members of the Canadian Armed Forces were killed in a grass fire at an army base in Wainwright, Alberta over the weekend.
asserted
members → kill → weekend
They were identified as Sgt. Morgan Wong, Pte. Shaun Farrell, Pte. Aidan Goulding, and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark.
asserted
They → identify → Wong
They died during a “fire-related training incident” at 4 p.m. MT (6 p.m. ET) on Oct. 17, according to CAF.
uncertain
They → die → CAF
Nearly 40 others were injured.
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others → injure → ?
Here’s what we know about them.
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we → ’ → them
Who were the victims killed in the Wainwright fire?
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victims → kill → fire
All four were based in Edmonton and serving in the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI) at the time.
“We went to high school together and played rugby.
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We → base → rugby
We both joined the army at the same time and were fortunate enough to be in the same platoon for basic training.
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We → join → training
That’s where he became more than just a friend; he became a brother,” Lewis wrote in the description of the fundraiser.
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Lewis → ’ → fundraiser
“He was always looking out for everyone and always kept himself in check.
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He → look → check
The staff and all the other soldiers liked him.
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staff → like → him
After basic training, Hayden went on to infantry school, and that’s where we parted ways.
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we → go → ways
However, we still kept in touch.”
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we → keep → touch
The funds will be used to “ease some of the stress caused by this tragedy.”
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funds → use → tragedy
Lewis’ father shared a Facebook post about Lykkemark and his son, saying they were best friends.
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they → share → Lykkemark
The post showed a photo of both of them wearing military gear.
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post → show → gear
“They walked into the military recruiting office together, went through basic training together in Quebec, and began their journeys in the Canadian Armed Forces side by side,” he wrote.
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he → walk → side
“Watching my son go through the pain of losing his best friend has been incredibly difficult.
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go → go → friend
These young men had so much ahead of them.”
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men → have → them
“He loved being active and spending time with his friends and family.
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He → love → friends
He was extremely proud to serve with the Canadian Armed Forces,” the statement said.
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statement → serve → Forces
According to his family, he attended the University of Alberta and received a bachelor of commerce degree.
uncertain
he → accord → degree
He also had a real estate certificate and a civil-military leadership certificate.
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He → have → certificate
The Loyal Edmonton Regiment Association said on Facebook it was “deeply saddened” by his loss.
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it → say → loss
“Our thoughts and prayers are also with the injured, their loved ones, and everyone affected by this tragedy.
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thoughts → injure → tragedy
We will remember them,” the post said.
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post → remember → them
Farrell was remembered by his mother in a Facebook post on Sunday.
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Farrell → remember → Sunday
She shared a photo of him in uniform.
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She → share → uniform
“We want to thank everyone for your love, support, and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.
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We → want → time
As our family navigates this profound loss, we kindly ask for privacy so that we may grieve together,” she wrote.
uncertain
she → navigate → privacy
B.C. Premier David Eby addressed the incident in a post on X, extending condolences to the families of the victims.
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Eby → address → victims
He named Goulding and Lykkemark specifically, as they were both from North Vancouver.
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they → name → Vancouver
She said he “had your whole life ahead of you — way too young.”
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he → say → you
How did a fire training exercises lead to four deaths?
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exercises → lead → deaths
Speaking on Sunday, Maj. Gen L.W. Rutland explained that soldiers in the 3 PPCLI were doing “high intensity combat training with live munitions.”
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soldiers → speak → munitions
The purpose of the exercises was to prepare them to be part of a global response task force that could be ready to “move within hours” to anywhere in the world.
uncertain
that → prepare → world
Soldiers were also getting ready to serve in Latvia in April and May to “bolster” a brigade that was already there.
uncertain
that → get → brigade
When the incident occurred, some soldiers were throwing hand grenades on a hand grenade range.
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soldiers → occur → range
At the same time, a group of ten soldiers were conducting a “section attack,” which is when they attack a “simulated enemy.”
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they → conduct → enemy
A “grass fire ignited in the training area,” said Rutland.
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Rutland → ignite → area
…and 6 more, not listed.
The Aporia
