Soldier killed in bombing range horror
A SOLDIER was killed and another injured in a horror live-fire accident at an RAF base in the north of Scotland yesterday.
RAF Tain was sealed off last night after the incident at the military weapons range on the Dornoch Firth, Ross-shire.
Sources claimed the men had been shot during a live-firing exercise, with one pronounced dead at the scene.
The extent of the other serviceman’s injuries were not known last night.
A Scottish Ambulance spokesman said they were on site at the training base, which is situated about three miles from Tain and 34 miles north of Inverness.
A police spokesman said: ‘Police Scotland is currently in attendance at RAF Tain following reports of an incident. A call was received by police at 5.55pm. Officers are at the scene. No other details are available at this time.’
The tragedy comes just months after Scots soldier Private Conor McPherson, 24, was killed after being shot in the head during a live-firing exercise at Otterburn RAF training centre in Northumberland.
RAF Tain is used to train crews from Lossiemouth, as well as the US Air Force and other Nato forces in preparation for operations overseas. Police shut
down roads around the base and a police car was parked at the entrance. The range, maintained by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, has 18 separate targets suitable for a variety of weapons.
It is used for bombing practice and strafing training – where bomb and machine gun attacks are launched from low-flying aircraft.
Tain is also responsible for Cape Wrath Range near Durness.
An Army spokesman said: ‘We are aware of an incident at the Tain base, near Inverness. We will release more information when it becomes available. It would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this point.’
Online, residents expressed shock about developments. On Facebook, David Ramage, of Balintore, Tain, said: ‘Anyone know why Tain drome is blocked off by police five mins after several sets of lights including the doctor arrived? A lot of shooting in that direction too.’
In July, Corporal Josh Hoole collapsed and died after a training exercise in the Breacon Beacons, South Wales. The 26-year-old, from Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire, had served twice in Afghanistan and was due to marry his childhood sweetheart
The ‘hugely committed’ Private McPherson was of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, having joined up two years ago.
The Black Watch soldier who was described as being ‘well liked for his sharp wit and sense of humour’ by his commanding officer.
He was killed in August when troops were firing SA80 assault rifles, using real ammunition, at sheets of metal bearing pictures of enemy soldiers at the centre in Northumberland.