A soldier who collapsed while vying for a spot in the elite Special Air Service (SAS) remains in a critical condition in hospital after his health took a turn for the worse.
Lieutenant Alexander Teira Cowan, known as Teira, fell unconscious suffering "heat-related injuries" while taking part in an 8km run with other SAS selection candidates on January 25.
He was taken to Middlemore Hospital by ambulance but yesterday, his condition worsened and he was transferred to Auckland Hospital.
Lt Cowan was in a critical but stable condition this morning, according a Auckland Hospital spokesperson.
His sister Tatiana Cowan-Greening told One News yesterday he had appeared to be improving, before he was transferred.
"Teira opens his eyes, he's been talking to us and knows exactly who we are, and then they put him back in an induced coma," she said.
Lt Cowan's father Monty described him as a strong person who had no history of illness.
The selection group were wearing military uniform and carrying about 10kg of equipment as they ran through the Hunua Ranges southeast of Auckland.
Lt Cowan collapsed after 80 minutes, towards the end of the exercise.
He received immediate first aid and an army medic treated him before he was taken to hospital in an ambulance, army chief Major General Tim Keating said.
The army is carrying out an inquiry into the incident.
NZN