3 Aug 2013

Soldier's family to help reinforce safety message

8:10 am on 3 August 2013

The family of a soldier who drowned on a training exercise says they will be helping the army spread the message of the importance of safety procedures.

A court ruling released on Friday said the Defence Force was highly culpable over the drowning death of Private Michael Ross on a training exercise last year.

Private Ross fell from an inflatable boat into Lake Moawhango, a small lake in the Waiouru Military Camp, in September 2012. He was loaded down with equipment and did not have an adequate lifejacket.

A spokesperson for the Ross whanau, Charles Hohaia, says he will be taking part in a national roadshow with the Defence Force which will visit army camps to talk about health and safety.

Mr Hohaia says the roadshow will try to reinforce the importance of safety standards and the family plans to ensure the talks won't be a one-off thing.