Cpl. Joshua Caleb Baker was killed Friday in a training accident near Kandahar. (DND)

Canadian Cpl. Joshua Caleb Baker died in Afghanistan Friday in a shooting range accident during normal training, a senior officer said Saturday.

Baker's death raises to 140 the number of Canadian soldiers to die in the country since 2002.

Four Canadian civilians have also been killed, including a diplomat, a journalist and two aid workers.

Baker, 24, died and four other soldiers were hurt at a shooting range about four kilometres from Kandahar.

"This type of training is normal for soldiers in-theatre and essential in helping them to maintain high levels of expertise," Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard, Canada's top commander in Kandahar, said in a news release.

The nature of the accident has not been disclosed. The military is investigating.

Baker's casket was loaded on a plane for the return to Canada Saturday as sombre soldiers saluted and a piper played.

Baker "had a laugh rumoured to cure cancer," Menard said.

The four wounded were taken by helicopter to hospital at Kandahar airfield and are in stable condition. Their names will not be released.

Baker, from Edmonton, served with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, 4th Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, the Defence Department said.

Flags at the Edmonton garrison flew at half mast Saturday.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement expressing his condolences to family and friends.

Baker's body is scheduled to arrive at CFB Trenton on Monday.

With files from The Canadian Press