Afghanistan accident victim named

Warrant Officer Shirley enlisted in the Army in 1992 with the Paras [Pic: MoD]

A UK soldier killed in Afghanistan when a patrol vehicle overturned has been named by the Ministry of Defence as Warrant Officer Dan Shirley.

The 32-year-old, from Leicester, died in the incident in Helmand province in the south of the country on Friday.

WO Shirley was serving with 13 Air Assault Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps from Essex.

Following the death of another soldier on Saturday, 110 British personnel have died in Afghanistan since 2001.

WO Shirley was on patrol from Sangin to the British base at Camp Bastion when the incident happened.

The WMIK vehicle he was travelling in rolled over and trapped him underneath.

He was a perfect role model for young soldiers. He was fit, irrepressibly enthusiastic and superbly professional Lt Col R J McNeil Commanding officer

Two other soldiers were injured but their injuries were not life threatening.

WO Shirley's commanding officer, Lt Col R J McNeil, said: "The loss of Warrant Officer 2nd Class Dan Shirley has come as a huge shock to every member of the regiment.

"He was known to all and universally respected. More than that, he was liked and admired.

"He was a perfect role model for young soldiers. He was fit, irrepressibly enthusiastic and superbly professional."

WO Shirley joined the Army in August 1992 with 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment.

'Sense of humour'

His friend and colleague Sgt Nick Murphy described WO Shirley as "the epitome of the airborne soldier".

Sgt Murphy added: "He was always talking about his family and loved taking his children to watch his beloved Leicester City. We will all miss his endless banter, energy and sense of humour."

Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Warrant Officer 2nd Class Dan Shirley in this tragic incident.

"He was a model soldier and his professionalism and determination was an inspiration to all his colleagues."

A total of 13 British service personnel, including the first woman, Cpl Sarah Bryant, 26, have been killed in Afghanistan since 8 June.