SAS man's widow sues MoD

The widow of an SAS soldier who died in a freak training accident is suing for compensation, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

Wandzia Halls's husband, Staff Sergeant Martin Halls, died in Kenya when the vehicle he was travelling in flipped over in August 2000.

She has now served a writ which is being considered by defence officials, an MoD spokeswoman said.

Staff Sgt Halls, 34, and Bombardier Adrian Powell, 30, died of head, chest and neck injuries in the accident, which happened during a training exercise.

Oil spill

The men were members of the Hereford-based 22 SAS and were travelling in a troop-carrier when it hit a 160 metre-long oil spill.

Their vehicle then careered off the road between Mombasa and Nairobi

A Hereford coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death in 2001, describing both men as "dedicated soldiers".

Mrs Halls, who now lives in Southampton with her two young sons, has declined to comment on the case, according to a national newspaper.

Payout of £250,000

It is estimated she could receive up to £1m if her claim is successful.

The MoD spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the compensation claim and can confirm legal proceedings have started. We are investigating the claim."

Liberal Democrat MP for Hereford, Paul Keetch, said it would be better if the case could be resolved without the need for court action.

In 2001 Anna Homsi was paid £250,000 by the MoD after a long-running battle over her war widow's pension.

Her partner, SAS soldier Brad Tinnion, died while in action in Sierra Leone.