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Soldier dies in Salisbury Plain training exercise Soldier dies in Salisbury Plain training exercise
(about 1 hour later)
The army has barracks at locations including Tidworth, Bulford and LarkhillThe army has barracks at locations including Tidworth, Bulford and Larkhill
A soldier has died in a training exercise on Salisbury Plain, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. A soldier has died in a training exercise on Salisbury Plain, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed.
The incident happened in the training area on the plain where the Army conducts regular training exercises. The incident happened just before midday on Friday on the plain near Enford, Wiltshire, where the Army conducts regular training exercises.
September saw a large Royal Artillery manoeuvre exercise take place alongside an army warfighting exercise at Copehill Down Village. There have been unconfirmed reports that suggest a tank may have rolled over the serviceman.
The MoD said Wiltshire Police was investigating the death. Salisbury Plain is the UK's largest training area for the British Army.
The plain has barracks at locations including Tidworth, Bulford and Larkhill. A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: "We are investigating the circumstances following the death of a 23-year-old soldier at midday yesterday (15/10).
The MoD said: "It is with sadness that we can confirm the death of a soldier on Salisbury Plain Training Area. "He was part of a crew operating an armoured vehicle and was taking part in a military exercise on Salisbury Plain Training Area near the village of Enford.
"This is now a joint investigation between Wiltshire Police, the Army and the Health and Safety Executive.
"Our thoughts are with the soldier's family and friends at this difficult time and we would ask that their privacy is respected."
An MoD spokesperson said: "It is with sadness that we can confirm the death of a soldier on Salisbury Plain Training Area.
"Wiltshire Police are investigating and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further.""Wiltshire Police are investigating and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further."
Unconfirmed reports suggest a tank may have rolled over the soldier. Soldiers have been testing out new kit as part of their training exercises on Salisbury Plain
A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: "We were called to Enford at 11.57am yesterday morning (Friday 15 October) for a road traffic collision, and crews attended from Pewsey and Ludgershall, together with the heavy rescue unit from Trowbridge."
The Army Warfighting Experiment has involved troops testing out new kit as the Army adapts to digital warfare which is increasingly becoming more prominent across the world.
This week private companies have also been pitching their latest gear with soldiers testing out equipment and giving them feedback.
The British Army currently has around 76,500 soldiers with around 15,000 of them based around the west Country.
Salisbury Plain is the UK's largest training area for the British Army
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