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Thirty detectives investigate death of soldier at Scottish live fire training base Thirty detectives investigate death of soldier at Scottish live fire training base
(about 1 hour later)
About 30 detectives are now investigating the death of a member of the armed forces who is thought to have been shot during a live firing exercise at a Scottish training base. About 30 detectives are investigating the death of a member of the armed forces who is thought to have been shot during a live firing exercise at a Scottish training base.
The soldier, who has not been named, was taking part in an exercise involving about 20 military personnel after sunset on Tuesday at RAF Tain, a large bomb, strafing and live fire training range 30 miles north of Inverness.The soldier, who has not been named, was taking part in an exercise involving about 20 military personnel after sunset on Tuesday at RAF Tain, a large bomb, strafing and live fire training range 30 miles north of Inverness.
Police Scotland has sealed off and shut down the base, which is used by the RAF, army and foreign air forces, after launching a joint investigation with local prosecutors, the Health and Safety Executive and armed forces.Police Scotland has sealed off and shut down the base, which is used by the RAF, army and foreign air forces, after launching a joint investigation with local prosecutors, the Health and Safety Executive and armed forces.
Ch Insp Iain MacLelland said there were no other casualties and there was no threat to public safety. He said the victim was not from the area, but their family had been informed.Ch Insp Iain MacLelland said there were no other casualties and there was no threat to public safety. He said the victim was not from the area, but their family had been informed.
“Both the police and the military are providing them with support at this time and our sympathies are obviously with them in what must be an extremely difficult time for the family,” he said.“Both the police and the military are providing them with support at this time and our sympathies are obviously with them in what must be an extremely difficult time for the family,” he said.
“We are keeping a very open mind into the cause of the incident. It is the very early stages of the investigation and as the investigation progresses we’ll continue to release further information into the nature of that inquiry.”“We are keeping a very open mind into the cause of the incident. It is the very early stages of the investigation and as the investigation progresses we’ll continue to release further information into the nature of that inquiry.”
The police and Ministry of Defence are refusing at this stage to release any further information about the victim, their unit or the cause of death. It is thought the exercise involved personnel from different units and several different services, and may have included foreign armed forces, in a live fire exercise involving small arms.The police and Ministry of Defence are refusing at this stage to release any further information about the victim, their unit or the cause of death. It is thought the exercise involved personnel from different units and several different services, and may have included foreign armed forces, in a live fire exercise involving small arms.
The MoD said it was for the victim’s family to decide what information to release about their identity or unit.The MoD said it was for the victim’s family to decide what information to release about their identity or unit.
Theresa May offered a tribute after the incident was raised at prime minister’s questions by Scottish National party deputy leader Angus Robertson. “I, and I’m sure the whole House, would wish to pass on our condolences to the friends and family of the serviceman who has died at the Tain range,” May said. Theresa May offered a tribute after the incident was raised at prime minister’s questions by the Scottish National party deputy leader, Angus Robertson. “I, and I’m sure the whole house, would wish to pass on our condolences to the friends and family of the serviceman who has died at the Tain range,” May said.
Earlier Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, had said: “This is a tragic incident and my deepest condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of the person who has died. It is another important reminder of the often difficult and dangerous job our armed forces do every day.” Earlier, Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, had said: “This is a tragic incident and my deepest condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of the person who has died. It is another important reminder of the often difficult and dangerous job our armed forces do every day.”
Paul Monaghan, the MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, which includes RAF Tain, said he hoped the MoD would learn lessons from the fatality after concerns were raised about cuts in safety lookouts at the base.Paul Monaghan, the MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, which includes RAF Tain, said he hoped the MoD would learn lessons from the fatality after concerns were raised about cuts in safety lookouts at the base.
Although Alasdair Rhind, deputy leader of Highland council, had said on Wednesday morning there had been very few complaints from locals about safety and disruption at RAF Tain, Monaghan said several constituents had complained about late-night low flying.Although Alasdair Rhind, deputy leader of Highland council, had said on Wednesday morning there had been very few complaints from locals about safety and disruption at RAF Tain, Monaghan said several constituents had complained about late-night low flying.
Monaghan said the base was only three miles from the town, and low-flying jets overflew the town as late as 11.30 at night. The US Air Force was now using it for nighttime training runs, dropping 500lb concrete bombs on the range. Monaghan said the base was only three miles from the town, and low-flying jets overflew the town as late as 11.30pm. The US Air Force was now using it for night-time training runs, dropping 500lb concrete bombs on the range.
He said there had been 11 deaths during live fire exercises involving UK armed forces personnel since 2000, and 135 British deaths overall during training and military exercises worldwide.He said there had been 11 deaths during live fire exercises involving UK armed forces personnel since 2000, and 135 British deaths overall during training and military exercises worldwide.
While there was no direct link between air force training and this incident, “it does raise broader questions about the management of RAF Tain,” Monaghan said. While there was no direct link between air force training and this incident, “it does raise broader questions about the management of RAF Tain”, Monaghan said.
The most recent British military fatality occurred just over two months ago when a soldier was shot dead during a live firing exercise at Otterburn training area in Northumberland. Pte Conor McPherson, 24, a member of the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, sustained a serious head wound on 22 August.The most recent British military fatality occurred just over two months ago when a soldier was shot dead during a live firing exercise at Otterburn training area in Northumberland. Pte Conor McPherson, 24, a member of the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, sustained a serious head wound on 22 August.
Just over a month before McPherson’s death, a soldier died on a training exercise on what was the hottest day of the year in Brecon, south Wales. Joshua Hoole, 26, from Ecclefechan near Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway, was on pre-course training for the platoon sergeants’ battle course when he died on 19 July.Just over a month before McPherson’s death, a soldier died on a training exercise on what was the hottest day of the year in Brecon, south Wales. Joshua Hoole, 26, from Ecclefechan near Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway, was on pre-course training for the platoon sergeants’ battle course when he died on 19 July.
Hoole, a member of the Rifles regiment, collapsed after taking part in a fitness test near the Dering Lines infantry training centre at about 6.30am.Hoole, a member of the Rifles regiment, collapsed after taking part in a fitness test near the Dering Lines infantry training centre at about 6.30am.
Rhind said the Tain range, which is the only one of its type in the UK, had a very good safety record and it was unlikely the soldier’s death would increase calls for a review of its operations unless something significant emerged from the investigation.Rhind said the Tain range, which is the only one of its type in the UK, had a very good safety record and it was unlikely the soldier’s death would increase calls for a review of its operations unless something significant emerged from the investigation.
“All the time it has been there, I can’t recall any incident at the Tain range,” he told BBC Radio Scotland. “So I think we need to know the full extent of the incident before asking for any clarity or saying things shouldn’t happen.”“All the time it has been there, I can’t recall any incident at the Tain range,” he told BBC Radio Scotland. “So I think we need to know the full extent of the incident before asking for any clarity or saying things shouldn’t happen.”