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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Pilot error 'led to Puma crash' | Pilot error 'led to Puma crash' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A helicopter crash in Iraq which killed two SAS soldiers in 2007 was primarily caused by pilot error, a coroner has ruled at an inquest into their deaths. | A helicopter crash in Iraq which killed two SAS soldiers in 2007 was primarily caused by pilot error, a coroner has ruled at an inquest into their deaths. |
| However Herefordshire coroner David Halpern also criticised the Ministry of Defence for "indefensible procedural and maintenance errors". | However Herefordshire coroner David Halpern also criticised the Ministry of Defence for "indefensible procedural and maintenance errors". |
| Sgt John Battersby, 31, of Lancashire, and Cpl Lee Fitzsimmons, 26, from Peterborough, died in the crash. | Sgt John Battersby, 31, of Lancashire, and Cpl Lee Fitzsimmons, 26, from Peterborough, died in the crash. |
| Two other servicemen were seriously injured in the incident in Baghdad. | Two other servicemen were seriously injured in the incident in Baghdad. |
| Mr Halpern also said a lack of equipment contributed to the men's deaths. | Mr Halpern also said a lack of equipment contributed to the men's deaths. |
| The inquest at Hereford Town Hall had heard that an anti-spill valve on the crashed helicopter was faulty and that the device might have prevented a fire taking hold so rapidly. | The inquest at Hereford Town Hall had heard that an anti-spill valve on the crashed helicopter was faulty and that the device might have prevented a fire taking hold so rapidly. |
| When our sons lay their lives on the line for the greater good, I think they deserve better than this Jacqui Auty Puma: Fact file class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/england/lancashire/8402637.stm">Crash soldier's mother 'bitter' | |
| The men's colleagues had attempted to rescue them but were forced back by the exploding aircraft and ammunition "cooking off", causing a barrage of bullets to fly out of the burning wreckage. | The men's colleagues had attempted to rescue them but were forced back by the exploding aircraft and ammunition "cooking off", causing a barrage of bullets to fly out of the burning wreckage. |
| The crash happened as the soldiers tried to find and capture insurgents believed to be responsible for a bombing campaign. | The crash happened as the soldiers tried to find and capture insurgents believed to be responsible for a bombing campaign. |
| Two Lynx helicopters and another Puma helicopter were also involved in the mission on the evening of 20 November 2007. | Two Lynx helicopters and another Puma helicopter were also involved in the mission on the evening of 20 November 2007. |
| Cpl Fitzsimmons' mother, Jacqui Auty, told the hearing: "When our sons lay their lives on the line for the greater good, I think they deserve better than this." | Cpl Fitzsimmons' mother, Jacqui Auty, told the hearing: "When our sons lay their lives on the line for the greater good, I think they deserve better than this." |