2 Canadian medics killed in Afghanistan

OTTAWA, June 26 (UPI) -- Two Canadian Army medics were killed in Afghanistan when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb, military officials said Saturday.

One, Master Cpl. Kristal Giesebrecht, was the third female Canadian soldier to die in combat in Afghanistan, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. She and Pvt. Andrew Miller were about 12 miles south of Kandahar in an armored vehicle checking out a report of a mined doorway when they hit the bomb.

A third soldier in the vehicle survived and was reported in stable condition at a hospital in Kandahar.

"Although we cannot say for certain that these medical personnel were targeted deliberately, it is for certain that the threat to Afghans stemming from the influence of out-of-area fighters at this time of year is very serious," said Brig. Gen. Jonathan Vance, commander of Task Force Kandahar.

Both Giesebrecht, who was on her second tour in Afghanistan, and Miller were natives of Ontario.

Vance described Giesebrecht as an "inspiration" to other medics and Miller as someone with solid military and medical skills.

"Kristal prided herself on her health and fitness, although she always felt the solution to any problem could be found in a box of chocolates," he said.