Soldier from 5RAR dies in hospital after three days in a coma

A 20-year-old soldier has died in hospital after claims he collapsed from heat exhaustion during an intense physical training session. It’s the second death within the regiment this month.

Soldiers frantically tried to save their mate who collapsed during a physical training exercise in Darwin this week, the Australian Defence Force has confirmed.

Soldiers from the 20-year-old’s platoon administered CPR and immediately called an ambulance when he went down on Thursday, a spokesman said.

Paramedics responded and were on the scene treating the member within 15 minutes.

“It is with profound grief that the Australian Defence Force confirms the death of an Australian Army soldier in the Northern Territory,” the spokesman said.

“We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends, and are providing ongoing welfare support at this difficult time.

“While Defence is investigating, the cause of death is yet to be determined by the coroner, therefore it is not appropriate for us to discuss the matter further at this time.”

Sources told the Sunday Telegraph the young soldier at the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, died after collapsing from heat exhaustion.

A soldier from 5RAR has died in hospital after being in a coma for three days.

“A soldier from 5RAR died in hospital after being in a coma for three days. He was 20 years old and his family had to say goodbye to him,” a source, who asked not to be named, said.

“He was forced to do a PT session in extreme heat … he went down with exhaustion and has died,” another source said. “In what world should this happen, to be forced to exercise to the point of death?”

The death follows the sudden passing of 35-year-old Blake Hann, a former soldier at 5RAR, on March 12. The father of four died in his sleep and the cause of death is unknown.

Loved ones described Mr Hann as a lad, a larrikin, a Digger and a mate.

“His sudden, unexpected and still unexplained death has left his whole family in shock,” a family friend said.

“We are shattered beyond words as we struggle to comprehend how this happened. His boys don’t understand why daddy is never coming home.”

Blake Hann passed away in his sleep earlier this month He leaves behind his wife and four young children. Picture: Supplied

Meantime pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to call a royal commission into veteran suicides and the handling of veteran claims by the departments of defence and veteran affairs.

Kel Ryan of the Alliance of Defence Service Organisation.

On Friday the Alliance of Defence Service Organisations (ADSO) threw their weight behind the call for a royal commission, acknowledging the “depth of feeling within the veteran community regarding the tragedy of veteran suicide”.

“ADSO is aware and conscious of the views of both houses of the parliament,” ­national spokesman Kel Ryan said.

“If the Prime Minister decides to establish a Royal Commission into veteran suicide, ADSO commits to fully supporting the ensuing inquiry.

“Suicide impacts all sections of the Australian community. It rips families apart. It is a ­national issue that demands an answer.”

The Returned & Services League on Friday said it fully supported the establishment of “whatever body is approved” by the Australian parliament to deal with the scourge of veterans’ suicides.

RSL National President Greg Melick said while the ­majority of the RSL favoured a standing commission into ­veterans’ suicide, which in ­effect would be a standing Royal Commission with powers to follow up its own recommendations, rather than a “one off” Royal Commission, all ­members would fully support any like body approved by ­parliament.