CFB TRENTON, Ont. - The body of Bombardier Karl Manning, the latest Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan, has been returned to Canada.
A military transport plane carrying the 31-year-old soldier arrived at CFB Trenton, in eastern Ontario, on Tuesday afternoon. A group of military pallbearers carried his casket from the plane as dignitaries watched quietly from the tarmac nearby.
Family members wept and hugged one another after the flag-draped casket was placed into a waiting hearse. One by one, each of them carefully placed a red rose upon the soldier's casket.
The procession then travelled west along the Highway of Heroes to Toronto, where Manning's body was taken to the coroner's office.
Manning was found dead last Friday at a forward military outpost in southern Afghanistan.
An investigation is underway, but the military has ruled out foul play, enemy action and accidental causes in Manning's death.
Manning was based at CFB Valcartier, Que., and was a member of the 1st Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment battle group.
He was the 156th member of the Canadian Forces to die as part of the mission to Afghanistan.
