Member of Cambridge military unit presumed killed while he was on leave from Middle East
A member of the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada in Cambridge is presumed dead after an avalanche in Switzerland.
According to a news release from Canadian Armed Forces, Capt. Sean Thomas went missing in the avalanche on April 1 while on leave from a deployment. He was in Riffelberg, Switzerland, on leave from Operation IMPACT in the Middle East. No other members of the Canadian Armed Forces were in the area at the time, the release stated.
“The loss of a member of our team is difficult for us all,” said Lieut.Gen. Jocelyn Paul, commander in the Canadian army, in the release.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Capt. Sean Thomas, as well as to his friends and loved ones, in the aftermath of this tragic event. We share in your sorrow and stand ready to provide support during this difficult time of mourning.”
Thomas was an infantry officer and deployed to Operation IMPACT as part of the Canadian Training Assistance Team in Jordan, helping to build the military capabilities of regional partners, and set the conditions for stability and security in the Middle East. He was deployed in November 2023, and was scheduled to return to Canada next month.
He joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2018 and was a member of the Fusiliers’ reserve unit, under 31 Canadian Brigade Group.
“I am profoundly saddened by this incident, which occurred at what was supposed to be a time of welldeserved respite,” said Vice-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, commander in the Canadian Joint Operations Command.
“Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the family, friends and loved ones of Capt. Sean Thomas and we will do all that we can to support them in their time of grief.”