Wellington  - A Royal New Zealand Air Force sergeant died Thursday when an artillery shell exploded at the North Island military camp at Waiouru.

Flight Sergeant Andrew Bruce Forster, a father of three, was killed instantly when the unexploded shell was detonated as he marked its location for future disposal, a New Zealand Defence Force statement said.

Another air force sergeant with him escaped with minor injuries. Both were members of the tri-service Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron working in the Waiouru camp training area. (dpa)