Father of four dies in special ops drill

A member of the Defence Force Special Operations Force died during a counterterrorism training exercise in the waters off the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula.

It’s understood the special ops soldier Sergeant Wayne Taylor, a father of four, fell about five metres and broke his neck during the operation involving a container ship near Channel Island in the Hauraki Gulf early Friday.

A witness described seeing three military-grade inflatable boats full of black-clad military personnel carrying assault rifles land on the shores of Port Jackson, at the tip of the peninsula, as dawn broke.

‘‘We got woken up when three inflatable RIBs came onshore, they came hurtling in,’’ the man, who did not wish to be named, said.

We thought at first it was an exercise as they were working on someone on the shore – they were letting off flares and smoke and everything.

‘‘It was quite scary as they According to the NZDF 2016 Defence Capability Plan, Special Operations Forces use operational techniques and modes of employment not standard to conventional forces. Their deployment lead times are short and their equipment and training must always be cutting edge, the report states. ‘‘Special Operations Forces respond to terrorism events in New Zealand, if the New Zealand Police require additional support, and are deployable globally as an independent contribution or as part of a Joint Task Force. ‘‘Special Operations Forces are trained and equipped for explosive ordnance disposal.’’ The Special Air Service has a maritime counter-terrorism and maritime infiltration role. The report states that significant spending is provisioned to ensure special ops forces remain world class. were all dressed in black and carrying assault rifles.’’

About 20 personnel wear- ing black military issue gear jumped out, bringing the injured officer ashore. They began rotating CPR on the man on the beach.

‘‘There was a whole stack of them.

‘‘They would do a couple of minutes of chest compressions then the next lot would take over.

‘‘They just kept going and going and going.

‘‘The next thing the helicopter came in ... it was the rescue helicopter and I thought, oh s***.’’

The helicopter dropped paramedics onto the beach before going on to land at the camp ground.

Paramedics continued working on the man with a defibrillator for about an hour, he said.

He said the personnel seemed shaken, and upset.

After about an hour and a half, the ambulance and helicopter left the scene, followed by the RIBs which headed south.

The New Zealand Defence Force confirmed Taylor’s death.

‘‘The next of kin have been informed, and a family liaison officer has been assigned,’’ an NZDF firmed.

Taylor joined the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment as a member of the Army Reserve in 1993, joining the Regular Force in October 1997. He served in East Timor and Afghanistan.

‘‘Many of the Regiment, both RNZIR and NZSAS, will remember him as an outstanding soldier, leader, father, family man, and friend to many, as well as being an all-round top bloke,’’ army chief Major General Peter Kelly said.

‘‘He was a consummate professional, who was known for his dedication and reliability – always upholding our core values in every endeavour.’’

‘‘I know that his family, friends and workmates will be keenly feeling the loss of a husband, father and friend.

‘‘My thoughts are with them all over the coming days and weeks.’’

The soldier’s family are being supported by members of New Zealand Special Operations Force and the New Zealand Army.

Police are investigating on behalf of the coroner. spokesperson con-