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Soldier killed in Salisbury Plain training exercise named as Max George | Soldier killed in Salisbury Plain training exercise named as Max George |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Second Lt Max George died on Salisbury Plain | Second Lt Max George died on Salisbury Plain |
A soldier who died when he was hit by an armoured vehicle while on a training exercise has been named. | |
Second Lt Max George, from Durham, suffered significant head injuries and died at the scene on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, on Tuesday. | |
The 26-year-old won the Queen's Medal for the best cadet when he passed out from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in December. | |
He had a "glittering career in front of him", the Ministry of Defence said. | |
The officer with the 5th Battalion The Rifles was struck by a Warrior infantry fighting vehicle and suffered a serious head injury, Wiltshire Police said. | |
'Devastating heartbreak' | |
His commanding officer, Lt Col Jim Hadfield OBE, said: "Max was a star that burned bright. | |
"Effortlessly impressive, he was a natural commander who exuded fierce determination matched by selfless compassion. We loved him for it. | |
"He stood out, and still stands out; we are so much poorer for his loss. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends." | "He stood out, and still stands out; we are so much poorer for his loss. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends." |
The former head pupil of Durham School - where both his parents taught - was awarded a First in Politics with Russian at Newcastle University and obtained a Distinction in his Masters in Eastern European and Eurasian Studies with Russian at the University of Glasgow. | |
In a statement, his family said he had "fulfilled his life's ambition in joining the regular army". | |
"The whole family is very proud of his outstanding achievements and his loss is a devastating heartbreak for us all." | |
'Exceptional potential' | 'Exceptional potential' |
Maj Joe Murray, the officer commanding D Company, added that 2nd Lt George "stood out from the crowd". | Maj Joe Murray, the officer commanding D Company, added that 2nd Lt George "stood out from the crowd". |
"Diligent, bright-eyed, and quick off the mark, he slotted into his role commanding 13 Platoon from the off; we were only starting to understand Max's exceptional potential. | "Diligent, bright-eyed, and quick off the mark, he slotted into his role commanding 13 Platoon from the off; we were only starting to understand Max's exceptional potential. |
"Unassuming and meticulous, Max needed very little time to bed into his role." | "Unassuming and meticulous, Max needed very little time to bed into his role." |
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace added: "Max exemplified all the qualities the Army stands for and as the testimonies show, we have lost a bright and talented young man who will be sorely missed. | |
"My thoughts are with his family, his friends, and his regiment during this difficult time." | "My thoughts are with his family, his friends, and his regiment during this difficult time." |
Wiltshire Police, the Army and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating his death. | |
Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk | Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk |
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