Probe into death of Scottish soldier in week of heatwave
POLICE and safety experts are investigating the death of a Scots soldier who collapsed during the week of a record-breaking heatwave.
Sapper Connor Morrison, who was stationed at Woodbridge, in Suffolk, is reported to have suffered breathing difficulties during a training exercise.
The 20-year-old soldier, from Renfrewshire, was taken by ambulance from Rock Barracks to Ipswich Hospital on July 21 but died two days later.
Earlier that week, on July 19, a new UK record high temperature of 40.3C was recorded in Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
The exercise went ahead in the early morning, when the temperature was within safe limits, according to the Sun newspaper.
The soldier’s death is now being investigated by the Defence Safety Authority, alongside both Suffolk Police and the Health and Safety Executive.
An Army spokesman said: ‘It is with sadness that we confirm the death of Sapper Connor Morrison of 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment on July 23, 2022.
‘Our thoughts are with Sapper Morrison’s family and friends at this difficult time, and we ask that their privacy is respected.
‘As his death is being investigated it would be inappropriate to comment further.’
Suffolk Police said they had been alerted by the ambulance service.
A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust said: ‘An ambulance, ambulance officer vehicle and East Anglian Air Ambulance were called to Rock Barracks, Sutton Heath, on July 21 following reports of a man with breathing problems.
‘He was transported to Ipswich Hospital by ground ambulance, attended by air ambulance crew.’
West Lowland Battalion Army Cadet Force, based in the south west of Scotland, wrote on Facebook that it was saddened to hear of the death of the former cadet.
The post said: ‘Connor was a well liked and respected young man who had been a member of our Erskine detachment for five years, leaving in 2020.
‘He touched the lives of many of our adult instructors and cadets during his time in the ACF and will be remembered by many as a charismatic and enthusiastic young man.
‘He will be sorely missed. Our condolences are with his family and friends at this difficult time.’
An inquest is due to be held at a later date.
Between 2000 and 2021, five members of the armed forced died while training due to heat injury, according to the Ministry of Defence website.
Notoriously, three SAS reservists died on a Brecon Beacons trek on one of the hottest days of 2013.
‘Touched the lives of many’