New Zealand demands explanation for bomb death

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (CNN) -- New Zealand is seeking an urgent explanation on how a U.S. bomb accidentally killed one of its Army officers in Kuwait.

Speaking to CNN, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said she wanted a report into the tragedy as soon as possible.

Acting Major John McNutt, 27, from New Zealand's elite Special Air Services Group, was one of six killed when a U.S. Navy fighter dropped a 500-pound bomb on observers at a live-firing training exercise in the northwest of Kuwait around 11 a.m. EST Monday.

QUOTE "This was an observer deployment to the coalition task force headquarters in Kuwait and we don't, in the normal course of events, expect to have people come home in body bags." - Helen Clark

"We are obviously very, very upset about what happened to a young NZ Army Major," Clark said.

"We, like the families and nations of others killed in this exercise, need some explanations."

NZ to appoint observer

Clark said New Zealand would be appointing an observer to the U.S. Navy's accident investigation board.

McNutt was a staff officer deployed to Kuwait on the coalition joint task force headquarters in Kuwait.

The coalition joint task force groups Britain, the United States, Australia and New Zealand -- with New Zealand contributing an officer since 1998.

McNutt was involved in planning, coordinating and monitoring training programs, including joint activities with Kuwaiti forces. His deployment was due to end on May 31 this year.

Clarke acknowledged that was always some risk involved in military deployments, but said: "This was an observer deployment to the coalition task force headquarters in Kuwait and we don't, in the normal course of events, expect to have people come home in body bags."

Reuters contributed to this report.

New Zealand Government

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