UPDATED: Military releases ID of cadet who died at 14 Wing Greenwood

HALIFAX – The identity of a 13-year-old who died at 14 Wing Greenwood has been released.

Gabriel Comeau from Saint John died Tuesday afternoon at the Greenwood Cadet Training Centre.

Capt. Liam Mather said the teen complained of feeling ill around 1:10 p.m. He had been participating in a summer sports and fitness program for air cadets.

A fellow cadet and staff member called 911 after noticing the teen was in medical distress.

The teen was taken to the 14 Wing Greenwood medical clinic then transferred to Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville. He was pronounced dead shortly after 3 p.m.

Mather said the death was not training related. Since the death happened on DND property, it will be investigated by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service.

Mather said youth counselors will be made available to the other cadets in the program and staff will continue to remind cadets to keep their personal safety top of mind during activities.

He said standard protocol hasn’t changed but there will be more diligence as a result of the teen’s death.

‘He was so happy when he finally reached the age of 12’

Rear-Admiral Jennifer Bennett, Chief Reserves and Cadets, gave a statement early Thursday on behalf of the Canadian Armed Forces.

“I have been told by those close to him that Gabriel loved being a part of Air Cadets and he was so happy when he finally reached the age of 12 that he could sign up and be with his two older brothers to share the experience of Air Cadets together,” she said.

Bennett also mentioned any serious incident results in an investigation, which is underway.

“The Cadet organization is a national network and this tragic loss is being felt across our entire institution,” she said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The Cadet organization is a national network and this tragic loss is being felt across our entire institution," she said.

“We can only imagine the tremendous sadness of his family and close friends and our focus is on supporting and caring for Cadet Comeau’s family, fellow cadets and instructors at this time.”