OMEN
04-23-2006, 07:47 PM
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Private Kovco ... suicide has been ruled out in his death
PRIVATE Jacob Bruce Kovco died draped in an Australian flag and surrounded by comrades after he accidentally shot himself just a month after arriving in Iraq.
The 25-year-old Victorian was cleaning his standard issue military pistol when it discharged on Friday.
Two other soldiers from the unit charged with protecting the Australian Embassy were in the room with Pte Kovco when the tragedy occurred. Suicide was immediately ruled out as full coronial and military investigations begin.
Pte Kovco, known as Jake, was treated at an adjoining US military hospital inside Baghdad's Green zone.
Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said the soldiers were unable to help their wounded friend who was shot in the head. "There were, I understand, two other soldiers in the room at the time," Dr Nelson said. "They didn't see the firearm go off."
Pte Kovco was married to Shelley and had two daughters Tyrie and Alana.He was born in Melbourne and spent his childhood in regional Victoria.
In an unusual turn, Mrs Kovco will assist in setting the terms of reference into the investigation of her husband's death. The move could be to offset criticism that was levelled at the initial terms of reference for the Sea King disaster inquiry.
The Kovco family lived near the Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney.
The dead soldier's body will be flown home today, in time for Anzac Day.
"I should inform Australians that it was, there was no evidence it was anything other than the accidental firing of the weapon that he was handling," Dr Nelson said.
The Defence Department revealed yesterday Pte Kovco had been a member of the army for the past four years.
He was a highly-trained sniper and had served time in the army's only parachute troop.
"Private Kovco died in hospital surrounded by his mates, draped in an Australian flag," the department said in a statement.
He arrived in Iraq just one month ago as part of a new wave of 110 troops to guard the embassy.
The pistol was understood to be a 9mm Browning, the standard issue weapon for deployment in the Middle East.
The Australian base in Baghdad is shared with the US and housed in the headquarters of the former Baath ruling party.
News.AU
Private Kovco ... suicide has been ruled out in his death
PRIVATE Jacob Bruce Kovco died draped in an Australian flag and surrounded by comrades after he accidentally shot himself just a month after arriving in Iraq.
The 25-year-old Victorian was cleaning his standard issue military pistol when it discharged on Friday.
Two other soldiers from the unit charged with protecting the Australian Embassy were in the room with Pte Kovco when the tragedy occurred. Suicide was immediately ruled out as full coronial and military investigations begin.
Pte Kovco, known as Jake, was treated at an adjoining US military hospital inside Baghdad's Green zone.
Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said the soldiers were unable to help their wounded friend who was shot in the head. "There were, I understand, two other soldiers in the room at the time," Dr Nelson said. "They didn't see the firearm go off."
Pte Kovco was married to Shelley and had two daughters Tyrie and Alana.He was born in Melbourne and spent his childhood in regional Victoria.
In an unusual turn, Mrs Kovco will assist in setting the terms of reference into the investigation of her husband's death. The move could be to offset criticism that was levelled at the initial terms of reference for the Sea King disaster inquiry.
The Kovco family lived near the Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney.
The dead soldier's body will be flown home today, in time for Anzac Day.
"I should inform Australians that it was, there was no evidence it was anything other than the accidental firing of the weapon that he was handling," Dr Nelson said.
The Defence Department revealed yesterday Pte Kovco had been a member of the army for the past four years.
He was a highly-trained sniper and had served time in the army's only parachute troop.
"Private Kovco died in hospital surrounded by his mates, draped in an Australian flag," the department said in a statement.
He arrived in Iraq just one month ago as part of a new wave of 110 troops to guard the embassy.
The pistol was understood to be a 9mm Browning, the standard issue weapon for deployment in the Middle East.
The Australian base in Baghdad is shared with the US and housed in the headquarters of the former Baath ruling party.
News.AU