Coroner blames MoD for Scots Para’s death
Military chiefs should “hang their heads in shame” over failures that led to the death of a Scottish soldier during a botched rescue from an Afghan minefield, a coroner stormed yesterday.
Corporal Mark Wright, 27, of Edinburgh, was trying to rescue two injured colleagues when the downdraft from a Chinook helicopter triggered a fatal blast.[>
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Recording a narrative verdict, coroner Andrew Walker criticised the MoD and said it was “lamentable’ that the UK was not equipped to stage an effective rescue.[>
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The coroner criticised the military for its lack of suitable lighter helicopters fitted with a winch that could have been used to pull the paratroopers to safety, adding that the lack of resources “was simply about money”.[>
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Soldiers should have had better training, communications and information about mines in the area, he added at the end of the two-week inquest at Oxford Coroner’s Court.[>
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“That a brave soldier is lost in battle is always a matter of deep sadness, but when that life is lost because of a lack of equipment and assets, those responsible should hang their heads in shame,” Mr Walker said.[>
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For his role in the rescue, Cpl Wright of 3 Para was posthumously awarded the George Cross – the highest honour for actions which are not in the face of the enemy.[>
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Six others were hurt, including three who lost limbs, during the incident in Kajaki, Helmand Province, on September 6, 2006.[>
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Two American Black Hawk helicopters, fitted with winches, were eventually sent to rescue the soldiers three and a half hours after the first explosion was reported. [>
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Following the inquest Cpl Wright’s father, Bob, said that he was proud of the courage his son showed in serving his country.[>
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Reading a statement on behalf of him and his wife Jem, he said: “We are satisfied that Mark did not cause his own death or contribute to it in any way. This will give us some peace of mind.[>
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“As to the how, it has been painful to listen to the catalogue of errors that led to Mark’s death.[>
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“However, the coroner has made recommendations that must be followed. Jem and I don’t want other families to experience the loss of their child in such circumstances.”[>
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The inquest heard the Chinook had been sent in to rescue troops from the Parachute Regiment’s 3rd Battalion, who had been injured by explosions after a sniper strayed into the unmarked danger zone.[>
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The marooned soldiers had requested that a helicopter with a winch be sent to extract the sniper, whose leg had been blown off, but were told none was available. Instead a Chinook, which was not fitted with a winch, was dispatched but was waved away for fear of causing explosions as it tried to land.[>
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As it took off, a mine exploded, giving Cpl Wright, who was trying to help injured comrades, severe shrapnel wounds from which he later died.[>
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Mr Walker described Cpl Wright as an “exceptional soldier” and one of the “rare breeds” who act with “unhesitating courage in the most desperate circumstances”.[>