'I was lucky': Canadian soldier survives IED blast that took his legs
Maj. Mark Campbell experienced death twice while serving Canada in Afghanistan, yet his remarkable story of survival and continued service spans an impressive 35-year military career. The Sturgeon County resident shared his powerful account during Remembrance Day ceremonies at Patricia Park in Edmonton's Griesbach neighborhood on November 11, 2025.
The day that changed everything
Campbell recalled the 2008 IED explosion in Afghanistan's Kandahar province that nearly ended his life. "The most dangerous thing I ever faced was probably the IED that took my legs off and blew me up, tossed me a bunch of feet," he told Postmedia. "When I looked up, my legs were gone, and I had a few minutes to live, and that was that."
What happened next demonstrated the incredible bravery of his fellow soldiers. Despite ongoing gunfire, machine gun exchanges, and rocket-propelled grenades flying through the area, Campbell's comrades immediately rushed to his aid. "They piled on top of me," he remembered with gratitude. "The troops were brilliant. They jumped on me, got the tourniquets on, stopped the bleeding, and, yeah, the rest is history."
Miraculous survival and recovery
Campbell's survival story includes two clinical deaths that required medical intervention. "I died twice, once on the operating table in Kandahar, and once in Germany, in the ICU," he revealed. "Both times I was in excellent medical facilities, and they managed to zap me back with the paddles. And here I am."
Following the life-altering injury, the Canadian Armed Forces provided Campbell with both the time and support needed for recovery. He continued serving for five additional years after losing his legs, completing his 35-year military career. "They accommodated me, basically, and allowed me to get my life sorted out and back on track," Campbell explained.
The transition proved particularly challenging for his family. "It was really hard on my family. It was probably harder on my family than it was on me, to be honest with you," he noted. "I was trained to deal with adversity and that kind of thing, whereas the family doesn't get the benefit of that training, right? So it was tough on them. It was a big deal, but we got through it."
Campbell's military service included operational tours in Cyprus, Bosnia, and two deployments to Afghanistan, in addition to postings throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe. His presence at the Remembrance Day ceremony with his son Steven symbolized both his personal journey and the enduring spirit of Canada's military veterans.
