Afghanistan accident marine named

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A Royal Marine who died in the UK 17 days after being injured in a road accident in Afghanistan has been named as Scott Summers.

The 23-year-old of 42 Commando Royal Marines, was from Crawley, West Sussex, the Ministry of Defence said.

The accident occurred on 4 February after he had volunteered to drive in a routine convoy in Helmand province.

His commanding officer Lt Col Matt Holmes said Marine Summers remained "selfless to the end".

He added the marine was "always willing to take on extra tasks for the good of his friends and colleagues...

"Brave, determined and professional in battle, to which he had courageously returned time and time again, he had proven his mettle on operations in Helmand."

The number of UK troops killed while on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 48. Some 22 died from accidents, illness, or non-combat injuries.

'Real character'

Marine Summers received initial treatment in Afghanistan before being transported back to a specialist unit in the UK where he died on 21 February.

The MoD said Private Summers, who joined the Royal Marines in January 2005 and deployed to Afghanistan in October last year, had been driving a Pinzgauer vehicle when the accident happened.

Scott Summers was an exemplary and popular Royal Marine and his service to our country in Afghanistan will not be forgotten Des Browne, defence secretary

"He was regularly employed as a driver, where he was engaged in the most demanding circumstances in difficult weather, terrain and, not least, when under enemy fire," it said.

He had fought courageously in over 20 fire-fights with the Taleban.

Private Summers stood out as a "real character" within J company, it added.

"He always had a one-liner ready to lift morale and reassure his colleagues during tense moments," it said.

"He was also the life and soul of any night out."

The MoD said Marine Summers was very proud of his South African heritage, which he often talked about.

Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "By accounts of all those who knew him, Scott Summers was an exemplary and popular Royal Marine and his service to our country in Afghanistan will not be forgotten."