National guard woman officer killed in accident (Updated)

A 27-year-old non-commissioned female officer lost her life on Thursday following an accident at an army camp in Kornos.

The National Guard has launched an internal investigation to determine the precise circumstances of the incident.

Corporal Natalie Neophytou was inside a military jeep during a training exercise at 11am when the vehicle overturned. With her inside the vehicle were a cadet and a conscript.

Media reports said Neophytou was from Paphos and joined the national guard only last December.

She was rushed to Nicosia general hospital in critical condition and intubated, but doctors were unable to save her life.

Surgeon, Chrysanthos Georgiou told Sigmalive: “All of the necessary steps were taken to deal with her injuries based on protocols”.

He said Neophytou was stabilised, transferred to the intensive care unit but stopped breathing as she was being rushed to the operating theatre.

“Unfortunately we were not able to bring her back,” the doctor said, adding that her injuries were too severe.

The two persons in the jeep with Neophytou were treated at Larnaca hospital and later discharged without serious injuries.

A military investigation is underway to establish the cause of the accident. The scene was cordoned off and the assistance of the police was requested to investigate the incident.

In a statement, the defence ministry conveyed its sincere condolences to the corporal’s family.

Later in the day, President Nicos Anastasiades likewise said he was saddened by the “tragic accident” and Neophytou’s death while on duty.

In a tweet, the president promised that “the state will stand by her family.”