The army officer who collapsed during a gruelling SAS
training exercise is now in a critical condition in Auckland
Hospital after his health deteriorated yesterday afternoon.
Lieutenant Alexander Teira Cowan, 25, collapsed while running
in the Hunua Ranges near the SAS base in south Auckland on
Wednesday last week.
He was considered to be in a critical but stable condition
earlier this week.
A hospital spokeswoman said his health had worsened yesterday
afternoon and he was now in a critical condition.
Lt Cowan fell ill during an exercise where he and other
recruits were required to complete an 8km run in uniform
while carrying equipment in a load-carrying vest weighing
about 10kg.
The group were reaching the end of the activity when he
stopped and fell to the ground and became unconscious.
He received immediate first aid assistance and an army medic
started treatment within five minutes of his collapse.
The incident has sparked an inquiry into selection processes
for the SAS.
Defence Force spokesman Major John Gordon said there was a
robust medical plan in place for the training.
"When you have such rigorous and demanding selection
processes there is going to be a risk of injury or medical
issues,'' he said.
"The large proportion of issues would relate to physical
injury as opposed to any sort of heat-related issues.''
Army chief Major-General Tim Keating said the inquiry would
review whether the selection process needed to change.
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