Peackeeper was killed by accidental shot

2:30 PM

The Australian peacekeeper who died in East Timor last night was killed when a gun accidentally discharged, the Australian Defence Department said today.

Corporal Stuart Jones, 27, was killed late yesterday while on patrol near Maliana, close to the border with West Timor.

He was travelling in a military vehicle with other members of his patrol when a rifle accidentally went off, inflicting a fatal chest wound.

The incident occurred about 5 pm.

A military helicopter was quickly on the scene and stabilised Corporal Jones before loading him into a helicopter to be flown to a Dili hospital.

He died about 10 pm on the way to hospital.

Corporal Jones had only been in Timor 16 days.