Soldier's death revives Goff's loss

Labour leader Phil Goff, left, says the death of Lt Tim O'Donnell has brought back memories of the loss of his nephew Matthew Ferrara, right, who died in Afghanistan in 2007. Photos / Mark Mitchell, Supplied

Labour leader Phil Goff knows the pain of the grieving O'Donnell family - his nephew was killed in Afghanistan three years ago.

Mr Goff's nephew Matthew Ferrara was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2007. He held dual New Zealand-United States citizenship and was serving in the US Army.

He was 24 years old when he was gunned down in a bloody ambush.

Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell, 28, was killed when his four-vehicle patrol was attacked with explosives, rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire in north-east Bamiyan Province overnight.

He was the first New Zealand defence force fatality in Afghanistan.

Two other soldiers suffered serious injuries, including burns and a leg wound, but are expected to survive. A local interpreter with the patrol was also hurt.

Mr Goff expressed his sympathy to the family of Lt O'Donnell and the two injured soldiers.

He said he understood the grief they were feeling.

"It was nearly three years ago that my family went through a similar experience and I really feel for the sense of loss that Tim's family will be feeling at this time.

"It's an absolute tragedy to lose the life of a young man with so much ahead of him, who had shown his courage in previous deployments that served his country well and now has died well before his time," Mr Goff told media.

He said New Zealand had been very fortunate in Afghanistan not to have lost any defence force personnel before now after 16 deployments.

"That is only small consolation for the loss of Tim O'Donnell's life."

The relatively low loss of life reflected the training of troops, the way the defence force works and the support of the Hazara people in Bamiyan for the New Zealand presence.

"There are still insurgents there, as we discovered to our great loss yesterday."

Mr Goff said he did not want to discuss whether troops should remain in Bamiyan because this was not a time for politicking.

"This is the time to mourn the loss of life of a young soldier who died serving his country."

Mr Goff has previously been supportive of the Provincial Reconstruction Team remaining in Afghanistan but did not want the SAS there.

"Whenever you consider the ongoing nature of a deployment, you consider what is being achieved for the sacrifice that you may endure, such as we have suffered today."

Any decision to deploy soldiers abroad was done with the utmost seriousness, Mr Goff said.

The Maori Party said in a statement Lt O'Donnell was too young to die.

"He should have lived long enough to be a father, even a grandfather."

His death was a great loss for his family, fellow soldiers and the nation, the party said.

"Young men and women go to war-torn countries and their lives become compromised.

"We must honour this young man and all those who give service so that others may live lives with freedom."

- NZPA