POLICE PROBE INTO FIRING RANGE DEATH
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 West Wales.
The incident in which Gavin Hillier died occurred at the Castlemartin RAC Range in Pembrokeshire on Thursday night.
Dyfed-Powys Police yesterday confirmed 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.”
On Friday, Sergeant Hillier’s father posted on Facebook: “At 3.45 this morning I received a phone call that will forever change my life.
“My eldest son... was in a fatal accident in the army, the job he loved. Sleep tight and rest in peace son. I’m so proud of you. Goodnight and God bless. Love you’re heartbroken dad, xxx.”
It is understood the soldier, who served as part of the Welsh Guards’ motor transport platoon, was due to be deployed to Iraq and had previously been awarded a Long Service and Good conduct medal by Prince Charles, the regiment’s Colonel in Chief, in 2019.
Soldiers in the Welsh Guards act as “guardians of the royal palaces” and are deployed on operations across the world.
A friend called Sergeant Hillier a “true hero” and an “awesome soldier”.
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 an explosion in their tank 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.