On 20 Sep 1987 a gunner from 4 South African Infantry Battalion, while attached to 61 Mechanised Battalion Group, was grievously wounded in action near the Lomba River during Operation Modular when a 155mm G-5 High Explosive shell exploded in the breach of the gun, blowing out the breach block. It appears that the gun barrel was left with a half burnt charge in it and another projectile was rammed in that did not seat properly because of the debris already in the barrel. Despite the desperate attempts of medics to save his life, he died from his wounds a short while later. He was 19. Another four members of the gun team were also severely injured, losing limbs and being grievously burned when the shell exploded.