TORONTO – The body of Sgt. Andrew Doiron, who was killed in Iraq last Friday, returned home Tuesday as flag waving Canadians gathered to honour the fallen soldier as he made his way down the “Highway of Heroes.”
Sgt. Doiron became the first casualty in Canada’s mission against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) after he was shot and killed in what has been labelled a “friendly fire” incident with Kurdish forces. Three other Canadian soldiers were wounded during an exchange of gunfire.
READ MORE: Sgt. Andrew Doiron honoured in repatriation ceremony at CFB Trenton
There have been conflicting reports about Doiron’s death with Kurdish peshmerga officials blaming Canadians for the shooting, a claim Canadian officials have flatly denied.
A senior government official told Global News that the Kurdish account “misrepresents the facts on the ground.” The official said the Canadians were not at fault and had been at the same position earlier in the day and informed the Kurds they would return later that evening.
The death of the 31-year-old has led to an outpouring of support as crowds gathered on overpasses along a stretch of Highway 401 that became known as the “Highway of Heroes” during Canada’s combat mission in Afghanistan. Below are images as Sgt. Andrew Doiron was honoured in a repatriation ceremony at CFB Trenton before making his way to Toronto.
Police officers, firefighters and others also posted images on social in honour of Sgt. Doiron
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