Vehicle 'might have saved marine'

Marine Watson came under heavy fire in Helmand province

A Royal Marine who was shot and killed in Afghanistan might not have died if more heavily-armoured vehicles were available, an inquest has heard.

Richard Watson, 23, of Caterham, Surrey, from Plymouth-based 42 Commando, died in December 2006.

The inquest heard he was in a Pinzgauer vehicle. Major Neil Sutherland said if he had been in a Viking armoured vehicle "he would not be dead today".

Coroner Andrew Walker recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.

He said: "This vehicle was not designed to be used in a situation where there may be incoming small arms fire and as a consequence was unsuitable for this type of patrol.

"A request had been made for a Viking vehicle but none were available."

Mr Walker said servicemen like Marine Watson showed "unthinking courage and unhesitating bravery".

He said that because of the nature of the Afghanistan conflict, an attack could come from anywhere, making the unarmed vehicle even more unsuitable.

Windscreen removed

Major Sutherland told Oxford Coroner's Court that if he had had the option of using Vikings it would have been a "no brainer".

He said when planning the patrol, he discussed the possibility of using Viking vehicles with his commanding officer.

He said: "It was my view that if we had them we could do more.

"But I was acutely aware that the number of Viking vehicles that were in the theatre were finite."

He said he made no formal request for Viking vehicles and made the best of what they had.

But he added: "If Marine Watson had been in a Viking vehicle in exactly the same spot with the doors closed he would not be dead today."

Military vehicle expert Nicholas Fox told the inquest the Pinzgauer offered no protection.

He was asked by the coroner if that type of vehicle should have been used in areas where there was incoming fire and replied "no".

Bullet wounds

The inquest heard the Pinzgauer - one of three vehicles on the patrol - had its doors and windscreen removed to allow easier access.

Marine Watson was wearing Enhanced Body Combat Armour - the minimum requirement - while other troops had newer Osprey body armour.

The hearing was told soldiers made their own choices about armour, and body armour expert Andrew Hepper said Osprey armour would not have protected Marine Watson.

Marine Stephen Freear, who was travelling with Marine Watson, said foot patrols came under "far too heavy" machine gun fire and the two soldiers ran to the vehicle.

He said Marine Watson stepped in and was about to sit down when he "seemed to close his eyes and slumped".

Marine Freear grabbed him and started driving.

Medical officers found no pulse and the soldier was flown to Camp Bastion where he was declared dead.

A post-mortem examination showed he died from a bullet that pierced his aorta. He also had a bullet wound to his arm.

Richard was never without a smile and will never be forgotten Royal Navy statement

In a family statement given after the inquest, Marine Watson's mother Tania Watson said she hoped lessons would be learned from her son's death.

She said the family were happy that the coroner mentioned "that the vehicle Richard was travelling in was not suited for the purpose of the patrol".

A statement from the Royal Navy Fleet HQ described Marine Watson, known as "Richie" to his colleagues, as "a natural leader who loved to be at the forefront of everything and had a determined and competitive character".

The statement said that Marine Watson, during operations, "remained calm and level-headed beyond his years in harsh conditions".

"Openly devoted to his family, close ones and his military service, Richard was never without a smile and will never be forgotten," it added.

The statement said the Royal Navy had apologised to Marine Watson's family for delays in providing information.