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Coroner's training call after RAF man killed by armoured vehicle | Coroner's training call after RAF man killed by armoured vehicle |
(about 20 hours later) | |
A serviceman died in Afghanistan after being crushed by an armoured vehicle with defective brakes operated by an unqualified driver, a coroner ruled. | A serviceman died in Afghanistan after being crushed by an armoured vehicle with defective brakes operated by an unqualified driver, a coroner ruled. |
RAF Senior Aircraftman Kinikki Griffiths, 20, from Devon, died when he was crushed by a Jackal vehicle in Helmand Province on 16 July 2010. | RAF Senior Aircraftman Kinikki Griffiths, 20, from Devon, died when he was crushed by a Jackal vehicle in Helmand Province on 16 July 2010. |
Coroner Elizabeth Earland said it had been a "highly emotional case". | Coroner Elizabeth Earland said it had been a "highly emotional case". |
She added she would write to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), asking it to review training methods for drivers. | She added she would write to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), asking it to review training methods for drivers. |
The hearing, at County Hall in Exeter, was previously told SAC Griffiths, from Exmouth, and another colleague had gone under the six-and-a-half-tonne vehicle to check on a fluid leak. | The hearing, at County Hall in Exeter, was previously told SAC Griffiths, from Exmouth, and another colleague had gone under the six-and-a-half-tonne vehicle to check on a fluid leak. |
Cpl William Wortley, who was at the wheel, said he had put the handbrake on with the engine running but "moments later" the vehicle rolled forward. | Cpl William Wortley, who was at the wheel, said he had put the handbrake on with the engine running but "moments later" the vehicle rolled forward. |
SAC Griffiths was trapped but his colleague escaped. | SAC Griffiths was trapped but his colleague escaped. |
The inquest heard that Cpl Wortley, who was in charge of the vehicle's machine gun, did not have a full driving licence and should not have been driving. | |
Group Capt Scott Miller told the inquest Cpl Wortley had been "acting outside the course of his authorised activities" and the service was trying to put a stop to a "culture of turning a blind eye to transgressions of the rules". | Group Capt Scott Miller told the inquest Cpl Wortley had been "acting outside the course of his authorised activities" and the service was trying to put a stop to a "culture of turning a blind eye to transgressions of the rules". |
In a narrative verdict, Dr Earland said the danger of brake failure had not been fully appreciated given that Cpl Wortley's lack of driver training had been highlighted during the hearing. | In a narrative verdict, Dr Earland said the danger of brake failure had not been fully appreciated given that Cpl Wortley's lack of driver training had been highlighted during the hearing. |
However, she said she would be writing to the MoD to ask it to review training methods for commanders, drivers and maintenance staff. | However, she said she would be writing to the MoD to ask it to review training methods for commanders, drivers and maintenance staff. |
SAC Griffiths joined the RAF as a gunner and was posted to No 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment. | SAC Griffiths joined the RAF as a gunner and was posted to No 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment. |
He had been in Afghanistan for 10 weeks and was just days away from celebrating his 21st birthday when he was killed. | He had been in Afghanistan for 10 weeks and was just days away from celebrating his 21st birthday when he was killed. |
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