According to defence force officials, the two men and one woman died instantly when an “enormous” blast destroyed their Humvee as the New Zealand convoy was escorting a soldier suffering a medical condition back from a visit to the doctors.
The incident on Sunday also marked the first time a New Zealand woman has died in the conflict.
Lance Corporal Jacinda Baker, a 26-year-old medic, was killed in the explosion, as were Corporal Luke Tamatea, 31, and Private Richard Harris, 21.
A 26 year old medic, in Afghanistan …
Ms Sumner Burstyn incurred a furious wave of negative feedback, including death threats to her and her family after accusing Lance Corporal Jacinda Baker of killing innocent people.
“Oh, so fallen soldier Jacinda Baker liked boxing and baking – did they forget she also liked invading countries we are not at war with, killing innocent people and had no moral compass,” Ms Sumner Burstyn wrote on Facebook. “She 100 per cent does not deserve our respect for her flawed choices.
“We are not at war. We are helping America invade another country for their oil. No more than that.
“Go to war expect to be killed. You can’t have it both ways – oh nice little career with the military and shock horror when you get blown up.”
Not a lot of oil in Afghanistan, not a lot smarts in Ms Burstyn. She apologises though …
“I made a … thoughtless comment for which I unreservedly apologise to the family, friends and loved ones of Jacinda Baker.
“I do not in the slightest gloat at this young woman’s death – I bemoan the tragic loss of her valuable life. Certainly my choice of words at the time was not good.”
But the blog had another purpose – giving her the opportunity to lash out at those who had taken their anger toward her, too far.
“The men and soldiers of New Zealand threatened to rape me … to run me over, to burn down my house and murder me.
“They extended the threats to my family.
“This is the black underbelly of my country.
“Many of these men, and mostly they were men, posted these threats as members of NZ Armed Forces.”
She expressed concern that no one in the defence force had taken action to control their staff and was fearful to return to New Zealand.
Life’s like that, eh, one minute everything’s rosy then you make a flawed choice …
But you can’t have it both ways – don’t complain when you get blown up.
bobmcgee 