OTTAWA — The family of a 13-year-old air cadet who died at a Nova Scotia military base earlier this month says he had a sudden and severe asthma attack.
The family of Gabriel Comeau says the attack could have happened anywhere and they are thankful he had access at a cadet training centre to immediate medical care, which they described as the "finest quality."
"They went above and beyond to try and save our boy," the family said in a statement released Wednesday by the Department of National Defence. "We are so thankful for the whole team that responded that day."
Gabriel, who was from Quispamsis, N.B., fell ill on Aug. 4 in his accommodations at 14 Wing at Canadian Forces Base Greenwood.
The boy was taken to the base's medical clinic and later transferred to a hospital in Kentville, N.S., where he was pronounced dead.
Gabriel was taking a three-week basic fitness and sports course, which promotes healthy living. About 1,000 cadets ranging in age from 12 to 18 go through the summer program.
The boy's family says he joined the cadets when he was 12 after watching his brothers participate in the program for five years.
"He loved being a part of the program and wanted to take in every inch of what cadets offered. We always discussed the risks and benefits of every activity with Gabe; however, this was different. Gabe suffered a sudden and severe asthma attack that had no warning."
His family says Gabriel wouldn't want what happened to him to be used as an argument against taking part.
"Gabriel would never want this to be used as an excuse to exclude youth with pre-existing health concerns from organizations and activities such as cadets and cadet training centres," they wrote. "He had a passion for all activities from cadets to music, to fishing and friends. Gabe loved that he could do whatever he set his mind to and be part of the fun in life."
