A Canadian soldier who was wounded in Afghanistan on March 6 died in an Edmonton hospital on Saturday.

Cpl. Darren James Fitzpatrick, 21, was wounded by an improvised explosive device during a patrol in Zharey, west of Kandahar city.

He was a member of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based at CFB Edmonton. He was originally from Prince George, B.C.

In a release, Defence Minister Peter MacKay expressed his "heartfelt condolences" to Fitzpatrick's friends and family.

"Our thoughts are very much with you during this difficult time," he said.

'Sacrifice will not be forgotten'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper also offered his condolences, saying Fitzpatrick's death is "a stark reminder that the Canadian mission in Afghanistan is a difficult one."

He called Fitzpatrick a hero, saying his "sacrifice will not be forgotten."

Melissa Glover, who went to elementary and middle school with Fitzpatrick in B.C., said his death is hard to take.

"I feel pretty upset about it. I found out [Sunday] night via Facebook, and even though it's been a while since I've spoken to him, it's hard … when somebody so young, somebody you went to school with, has been taken away."

This was Fitzpatrick's first operational tour. He joined the Canadian Forces in 2006 and had been serving in Afghanistan since last October.

He was initially treated in Kandahar before being moved to Germany. He was taken to the University of Alberta Hospital on Friday

Prior to Fitzpatrick's death, 140 Canadian soldiers had died while serving with the Afghanistan mission since 2002. Four Canadian civilians have also been killed
This young hunter is the son of a work collegue of my wife's-please take a moment to pray for his family-thanks.

God Bless and RIP

It makes me sick to hear about another young man struck down in this war against despicable beings. This is a fight I'm afraid we can't win without complete annihilation of of an entire population. Insidious and soulless enemy they are.

Godspeed to the young man......RIP.

Condolences to his family and friends.

I have a friend in Kandahar, it's scary indeed.

My heart goes out to Cpl. Fitzpatrick's family.

We are diminished...

Godspeed.

Rich

It was a 'moving' funeral.