Crowds pay tribute to Canadian soldier from Hamilton who died in Latvia

The body of Sebastian Halmagean, a Canadian soldier who died in Latvia, was honoured Tuesday with a repatriation ceremony as he arrived at CFB Trenton.

Crowds of people have gathered to line Highway 401 to pay tribute to a Canadian soldier who died in Latvia when his body is returned to his hometown of Hamilton, Ont.

The body of Gunner (Gnr) Sebastian Halmagean arrived at CFB Trenton Tuesday afternoon for a repatriation ceremony.

Halmagean, 24, was part of Operation Reassurance, a 3,000-strong Canadian-led NATO mission contributing to deterrence and defence measures in Central and Eastern Europe.

He died at Camp Labrie on Ceri Military base on Jan. 26. The cause of his death has not yet been disclosed, but the Canadian Armed Forces have said the circumstances are still being investigated.

Halmagean had served in the Canadian military for almost three years and this was his first deployment overseas.

His father previously told CTV News that his son was proud to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces and felt he was doing something to help his country.

“He loved every minute of this,” Alin Halmagean said, adding he wants people to know Sebastian loved his career.

Images from CFB Trenton showed Halmagean’s body arriving at the base on a plane Tuesday afternoon as light snow fell, with uniformed soldiers attending his flag-draped coffin as bagpipes played.

Following the repatriation ceremony at CFB Trenton, Halmagean’s body will be driven along the Highway of Heroes to Hamilton.

With files from CTV News