Military police examine soldier's death

The barracks where the incident happened

Military police are investigating the death of a Cumbrian soldier, who was found unconscious in a swimming pool at a British Army base in Germany.

David Shipley, 20, from Clarence Road, Barrow, was discovered injured on Saturday 22 June, at his army unit's base in Bielefeld.

Mr Shipley suffered extensive brain damage, and was on a life support machine before his parents decided to switch it off.

The Military of Defence said it could not speculate on the cause of death, but that its Special Investigations Branch was carrying out a full investigation.

Life support

The soldier was discovered by colleagues in a paddling pool, which had been used for an It's a Knockout-style event during an open day to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Mr Shipley had only been at the base in Germany for five days.

He was a member of 6 Supply Regiment of the Regiment of the Royal Logistics Corp and was employed as a warehouseman.

He was taken to Gutersloh hospital, 80 miles from Hannover, where his family later asked doctors to turn off the life support machine.

Mr Shipley served with the logistics corps

A Ministry of Defence spokesman told BBC News Online: "There is an ongoing investigation, which will not be completed very quickly.

"We envisage the investigation by military police will take some time.

"The incident happened during a family day at the base to investigate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

"If it is found there has been some misdemeanour then a file will be passed on to the army prosecuting authorities. The civil police would also be informed."

'Headaches' complaints

They would not comment on reports Mr Shipley had been complaining of headaches.

A post-mortem examination will be carried out in Germany and the Shipley family could ask for another one to be carried out in the UK when their son's body is flown home.

Mr Shipley's brain was starved of oxygen after he lay face down and unconscious in the paddling pool at British Army barracks in Bielefeld on Saturday.

Stage background

Specialists in Germany told the soldier's parents Jenny and Peter, who were at the bedside, that there was no hope for their son.

He had been in the army for a year, and worked previously at Debenhams, in Barrow, as a sales assistant.

He was also a stagehand for a number of Furness amateur dramatic societies.