A special ops solider has died on a training excerise of the coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. (Photo \ Getty Images)

Special ops soldier dies off the Coromandel

Author: NZ Herald Staff,
Publish Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2017, 12:28PM

A member of the New Zealand Defence Force special operations squad has died during a maritime counter-terrorism training exercise off Coromandel Peninsula today.

A call came in from a vessel near Channel Island about 6.30am.

Maritime New Zealand said it was reportedly a "medical incident" but the Defence Force announced this afternoon the person died during an exercise.

The force said the soldier's next of kin have been informed and a family liaison officer assigned.

MEDIA STATEMENT || We can confirm a member of the Special Operations Force has died during a training exercise. https://t.co/jYdJVyunZJ
— NZ Defence Force (@NZDefenceForce) October 12, 2017

Police have also been informed.

All inquiries are being directed to Police.

The speical operations force (NZSOF) is described by the defence force as "highly capable", and says it works to pre-empt threats to New Zealand domestically and aborad. The force includes the SAS.

In 2012, 29-year-old Private Michael Victor Ross died after falling into a lake near Waiouru while carrying more than 20 kilograms of gear during a training exercise.

The Defence Force was convicted the following year after pleading guilty of failing to ensure Private Ross was not exposed to the danger of drowning while at work.