SOLDIER DIES FROM HEAD SHOT ON LIVE FIRE RANGE
A SOLDIER has died after being shot in the head during a live firing exercise at night.
The serviceman – of The Black Watch, 3 Scots – was pronounced dead by paramedics. It is believed he was wearing his helmet and night goggles while training at Otterburn in Northumberland.
Armed Forces Minister Mike Penning said: “My thoughts are with the soldier’s family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time. The safety of our personnel is our absolute priority and while deaths in training don’t happen often, any death is a tragedy.”
The Ministry of Defence confirmed the soldier’s next-of-kin had been informed and the incident – at 11.15pm on Monday – was under investigation.
Hundreds of troops from Inverness-based 3 Scots arrived at Otterburn for live firing training last week. Major Chris Hunter, a veteran of the second Iraq War, said the loss was “hard to bear”.
But he added: “The only way to meet the expectations of warfare is to conduct realistic and exhausting training.”