Special- ops fall victim was father of four

The special operations squad member who died during a training exercise off Coromandel Peninsula yesterday was Sergeant Wayne Taylor.

Taylor, who was married and a father of four, fell about 5m during the training exercise, witnesses have reported.

He had served in East Timor and Afghanistan since joining the Defence Force in 1997.

Chief of the army Major General Peter Kelly said the regiment would remember him as an outstanding soldier.

“He was a consummate professional, who was known for his dedication and reliability — always upholding our core values in every endeavour,” he said.

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

A Westpac Auckland Rescue Helicopter was sent to a vessel near Channel Island about 6.30am, a spokesman said.

A witness at Port Jackson in the Coromandel told Radio New Zealand he saw paramedics work for about 90 minutes in a bid to revive the soldier.

A police spokeswoman said police will be making inquiries on behalf of the coroner.

Defence Minister Mark Mitchell has extended condolences to Taylor’s family on behalf of the Government and himself.