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| Soldier dies in live firing training exercise in Northumberland | Soldier dies in live firing training exercise in Northumberland |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A soldier has died after being shot at a military training area in Northumberland, police have said. | A soldier has died after being shot at a military training area in Northumberland, police have said. |
| The male soldier, serving with the Royal Regiment of Scotland, was shot on the military ranges in Otterburn during a live firing exercise at about 23:15 BST on Monday. | The male soldier, serving with the Royal Regiment of Scotland, was shot on the military ranges in Otterburn during a live firing exercise at about 23:15 BST on Monday. |
| Northumbria Police said the soldier sustained a "serious head wound" and was pronounced dead at the scene. | Northumbria Police said the soldier sustained a "serious head wound" and was pronounced dead at the scene. |
| He has not been identified by the Ministry of Defence. | He has not been identified by the Ministry of Defence. |
| Latest updates from the North East of England | Latest updates from the North East of England |
| An MOD spokesman said the Defence Safety Authority was investigating. It said there were no details on whether any other personnel were involved. | An MOD spokesman said the Defence Safety Authority was investigating. It said there were no details on whether any other personnel were involved. |
| Armed Forces Minister Mike Penning said: "My thoughts are with the soldier's family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time. | Armed Forces Minister Mike Penning said: "My thoughts are with the soldier's family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time. |
| "The safety of our personnel is our absolute priority and while deaths in training don't happen often, any death is a tragedy. | "The safety of our personnel is our absolute priority and while deaths in training don't happen often, any death is a tragedy. |
| "As well as a police investigation, MOD accident investigators are looking into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident." | "As well as a police investigation, MOD accident investigators are looking into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident." |
| A police cordon is in place at the training area and the soldier's next-of-kin have been informed, police say. The force said no arrests had been made. | |
| Deaths during live fire exercises | |
| By Jonathan Beale, defence correspondent | |
| Between January 2000 and 20 February 2016, 135 UK armed forces personnel died while on training or exercise. | |
| Eleven of those 135 deaths occurred during a live fire exercise. | |
| Most soldiers would take part in live fire exercise - with live ammunition being used - about twice a year. | |
| These exercises are supervised and follow strict procedures to try to ensure the safety of those taking part. | |
| Otterburn Training Area, set up by former prime minister Sir Winston Churchill, is the second largest live firing range in the country and has been used for military training since 1911. | Otterburn Training Area, set up by former prime minister Sir Winston Churchill, is the second largest live firing range in the country and has been used for military training since 1911. |
| The Royal Regiment of Scotland marked the 10th anniversary of its creation with a parade in Edinburgh in April. | The Royal Regiment of Scotland marked the 10th anniversary of its creation with a parade in Edinburgh in April. |
| The creation of the regiment in 2006 was controversial as it meant that names of famous regiments, such as the Royal Scots and the King's Own Scottish Borderers, would disappear. | The creation of the regiment in 2006 was controversial as it meant that names of famous regiments, such as the Royal Scots and the King's Own Scottish Borderers, would disappear. |