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Soldier killed in Highlands live fire drill named as Joe Spencer Soldier killed in Highlands live fire drill named as Joe Spencer
(35 minutes later)
A soldier who died during a live firing exercise at an RAF weapons range has been named by the Ministry of Defence. The Ministry of Defence has named a soldier who died during a live firing exercise at an RAF weapons range.
L/Cpl Joe Spencer, of 3rd Battalion The Rifles, died following the firearms incident at RAF Tain in the Highlands on Tuesday. L/Cpl Joe Spencer, of 3rd Battalion The Rifles, died following the firearms incident at RAF Tain in the Highlands on Tuesday. About 30 detectives are involved in the investigation into the death.
About 30 detectives are involved in the investigation into the death. Confirming the soldier’s identity, the defence minister Mark Lancaster said: “My thoughts are with Joe’s family, friends and colleagues at this terrible time. We are cooperating with the police investigation and looking into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.”
Confirming the soldier’s identity, the defence minister Mark Lancaster said: “My thoughts are with Joe’s family, friends and colleagues at this terrible time. Police and ambulance crews were called to the range, north of Inverness, at around 6pm on Tuesday. Spencer, whose age has not been disclosed by the MoD, was found fatally injured at the site. His relatives have been informed. The MoD did not reveal details of where the soldier was from, but police previously indicated that he was not from the local area.
“We are cooperating with the police investigation and looking into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.” The training exercise in which the incident happened involved around 20 personnel. Police Scotland previously confirmed that a firearm was involved in the death. There were no other casualties. The investigation into the incident is being led by the Scottish force.
Speaking on Wednesday, Ch Insp Iain MacLelland said: “Police Scotland are leading the investigation to establish the full set of circumstances of this incident and we are working closely with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Health and Safety Executive, and the armed forces.
“I would wish to emphasise that this incident was confined to the RAF firing range at Tain, that no persons were involved other than those military personnel participating in the exercise, and at no stage was there a threat to the wider public safety.”
He said the nature of the incident would mean a continued police presence in the area over the days ahead. Officers were said to be keeping “a very open mind” over the cause of the incident.
Political leaders sent their condolences to the soldier’s loved ones. Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, 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.”
The prime minister, Theresa May, told MPs at Westminster: “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.”
A cordon has been set up around the base on the Dornoch Firth, in Easter Ross, while the authorities deal with the incident. The training facility is used by the RAF and the army. It has a rifle range and a small arms range as well as bombing ranges for aircraft.
The range is also used by US and other Nato air forces for bombing and strafing practice. The death comes just over two months after 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, was killed on 22 August.