Soldier dies in incident with tank during army exercise

A SOLDIER has died following an incident during a military training exercise in Wiltshire.

A tank is understood to have rolled over the soldier, leaving him with significant injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene on a public byway in Enford, Wiltshire.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and other specialist paramedics were scrambled to reports of a serious collision on the Salisbury Plain Training Area shortly before midday on Friday. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it sent two fire engines, from Pewsey and Ludgershall, and a heavy rescue unit from Trowbridge to the scene.

A Hazardous Area Response Team, made up of a group of specialist paramedics trained to deal with the most serious of incidents, and several other South Western Ambulance Service vehicles were seen responding alongside firefighters.

At the height of the incident, around a dozen police officers – from Wiltshire Police and the Military of Defence Police – were in attendance.

The investigation is being led by traffic officers from the local force, with units parked in Enford Village Hall car park a short distance from the scene.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police only acknowledged that a training exercise was under way and did not make any comment on the incident.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: “It is with sadness that we can confirm the death of a soldier on Salisbury Plain Training Area.”