Soldier dies in hospital

  • 2009-01-29
  • From BNS wire reports
VILNIUS - A soldier, 36, on Thursday died in VilniusUniversity Emergency Hospital.

Senior Sergeant of the Grand Duchess Birute Motorized Infantry Battalionunder the LithuanianArmed Forces Svajunas Vitkauskas died while recoveringfrom head surgery, Lithuania's Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Vitkauskas was taken in for medical care last Thursday after partaking onthe same day in an exercise in  Pabrade.

The soldier fainted during resting time. The senior sergeant regainedconsciousness after receiving first aid, however fainted again shortly. Vitkauskas was promptly taken to the hospital in Lithuania's eastern cityof Svencionys and then moved to Vilnius University Emergency Hospital, wherehe underwent surgery.

The senior sergeant had undergone medical examination last May, whendoctors found the soldier as fit to be in the service.

The cause of death is currently under investigation.