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.
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