Paul ‘Dusty’ Miller dies while hiking Kokoda Track


An army veteran and father of five has been remembered as a “great Aussie digger” as well as a beloved family man after he died while walking the Kokoda Track.

Paul ‘Dusty’ Miller from Adelaide was on the second day of the walk raising money for a veterans charity when he suffered a suspected heart attack on Sunday.

His partner Amanda Kaplan confirmed the death of the “dearly loved” Mr Miller.

“Despite all efforts of assistance and of CPR, Paul was airlifted out and it has been confirmed that he had passed away on arrival at the hospital,” Ms Kaplan said.

The father of five had travelled to Papua New Guinea with his 17-year-old son Aaron to do the walk.

The proud veteran joined the Australian Army in 1991 and had gone on four deployments – to Iraq in 2003 and 2006, East Timor in 2009 and Afghanistan in 2013.

“In true Dusty Style, he went out with a bang – doing something that he has always wanted to do … Kokoda,” Ms Kaplan said.

His daughter Sarah Miller said she woke up to her “whole world falling apart” when she heard of the news.

“I still want to believe that Dad will call me and tell me every thing will be okay,” she said.

“My best friend, my hero, my safety blanket is gone, but I know his memories will live on forever and I will always be meeting people that loved and knew him.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed the death on Monday.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian man who died in Papua New Guinea,” a spokesman said.

“We send our deepest condolences to the family.”

The 48-year-old fainted on the track on Sunday before his walking group gave him CPR in an attempt to save his life, according to the ABC.

He was later pronounced dead at Port Moresby’s Pacific International Hospital.

The Kokoda Track was the location of an intense battle between Japanese and Australian forces in 1942.

April is one of the busiest periods on the track as thousands walk in the footsteps of Australian soldiers in the lead up to Anzac Day.

The total track runs over 96km through the Owen Stanley Range and is generally completed in four to 12 days.

It’s described as the “ultimate challenge” according to tour company Australian Kokoda Tours.



Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *