Helicopter crash soldier tributes

Colour Sergeant M L Powell was in the Parachute Regiment

Friends of a soldier killed in a helicopter crash in Iraq have described him as an "awesome, unassuming, lovely bloke".

Colour Sergeant Mark Lawrence Powell, 37, grew up in Porthcawl, but lived in Hereford with his architect wife and six-month-old baby.

Colour Sergeant Powell, who was serving with the Parachute Regiment, was killed in the early hours of Sunday.

Two British helicopters were involved in the mid-air collision near Baghdad.

A keen surfer, Colour Sergeant Powell, still returned to the town where he learned the sport with his old school friends.

Shock

Simon Tucker, who runs a local surf academy, said: "He was a lovely bloke, friendly to everyone. It is a shock to everyone."

Mr Tucker added that when he was young, Colour Sergeant Powell, had always wanted a career in the services.

The former Porthcawl Comprehensive pupil had been in the Welsh surf team, Mr Tucker said.

The Puma helicopters came down in the early hours of Sunday in a rural area near Taji, where there is a large US base.

It is believed the helicopters had been taking part in a special forces mission.

A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman said the crash was being treated as an accident and a full investigation would be carried out.

On Monday the MoD paid tribute to Mr Powell who joined his regiment more than 16 years ago.

A statement said: "He was an exemplary combat leader, soldier, father, husband, friend and Briton, dedicated to his family, his men, his mission and his country.

"In the finest traditions of the army and his regiment - he was utterly selfless; never shirking danger, effort or hard service in the pursuit of his mission.

"His loss is tragic, and keenly felt by all, but his example to others will be sure to endure and inspire us all for years to come.

"Our thoughts now are with his family and his comrades."