Probe launched into soldier’s death after live firing exercise

LONDON: An investigation has been launched into the death of a sergeant in the Welsh Guards who died after being injured in a live firing exercise in south-west Wales.

The incident occurred at the Castlemartin RAC Range in Pembrokeshire on Thursday. Dyfed-Powys Police said it is leading the investigation, and officers are liaising with the Health and Safety Executive and the Ministry of Defence.

In a statement, the force said: “An investigation has been launched into the death of a soldier at Castlemartin RAC Range following a military exercise.

“Dyfed-Powys Police were called to the site at just before 10.45pm on Thursday, March 4.

“Sadly, a man was pronounced dead shortly after. Our thoughts are with his family, who have been informed of the incident and are being supported by specialist officers.

“An investigation is under way led by Dyfed-Powys Police. Officers are liaising with the Health and Safety Executive and MoD.” An Army spokesperson said: “It is with great sadness we can confirm the death of a soldier on March 4.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this tragic time. “The circumstances surrounding this death are being investigated and it would be inappropriate to comment any further.”

According to The Sun, which first reported the incident, the soldier’s next of kin have been informed. The newspaper said the sergeant had served in Iraq and Afghanistan and was training ahead of a planned deployment to Iraq in the summer.

It reported that the soldier had been awarded a Long Service and Good Conduct medal by the Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, in 2019. According to the Ministry of Defence website, the Welsh Guards have a “dual role” as a “light role infantry” as well as “world class ceremonial soldiers, guarding the Royal Family and Royal palaces such as Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London and conducting State Ceremonial duties”.

Previous incidents at the Castlemartin ranges have claimed the lives of soldiers.

In 2017, corporals Matthew Hatfield and Darren Neilson of the Royal Tank Regiment died after their tank exploded during a training exercise on a firing range.

A 21-year-old soldier, Mike Maguire, died at Castlemartin in 2012 after being shot in the head while relaxing at a location just outside the training range.

A 2013 inquest into his death heard he was hit in the temple by a single machine gun bullet fired by a fellow soldier during a training exercise.

The inquest jury ruled Ranger Maguire, who was a member of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment, had been unlawfully killed.