Afghan troop death ‘avoidable’
The death of a British soldier in Afghanistan was entirely avoidable, according to a coroner’s verdict.
Those responsible for a litany of errors which led to the death of the George Cross-winning UK soldier in Afghanistan should “hang their heads in shame”, the coroner said.
Coroner Andrew Walker, said on Friday that Corporal Mark Wright’s death was entirely avoidable and would not have happened if it were not for a lack of communication, equipment and training.
Edinburgh-born Cpl Wright died in Kajaki, Helmand, in September 2006 when his sniper patrol entered an unmarked minefield that the army had not informed them of.
The 27-year-old, posthumously awarded the George Cross for helping his fellow troops escape with their lives before succumbing to his wounds, died when a mine was set off by the back-draft of the RAF Chinook sent to winch the soldiers out.
It took three hours for an allied helicopter to be dispatched to rescue the soldiers, who were forced to shoot into the air when radio batteries ran out.
Cpl Wright’s father Bobby, speaking outside Oxford coroner court, said he was proud to hear of the courage shown by his son in serving his country, which he said brought “peace of mind” to the family.
“We are satisfied that Mark did not cause his own death or contribute to it in any way,” Mr Wright said.
The family solicitor Paul Harrington said there were lessons to be learned for the MoD over the incident, which saw several other soldiers lose limbs and sustain a range of serious injuries.
“There have clearly been a series of systemic failings on intelligence, training and resources,” he said.
