Soldier dies after postal crash

L/Cpl Sarah Holmes was part of the Postal and Courier Service

A soldier from Oxfordshire, who was injured in a road crash in Qatar, has died in a UK hospital.

L/Cpl Sarah Holmes, 26, from Wantage, was injured while delivering mail in Al Udeid, Qatar, on 3 October, just days before her operational tour ended.

The soldier, who was based in Gloucestershire, was flown back to the UK for treatment but died on Sunday.

L/Cpl Holmes, from the forces postal service, was in a car that collided with a truck at the Al Udeid airfield.

Her down-to-earth, helpful and friendly presence will be sorely missed Lt Col Iain McKend RLC

She joined the Army in 1997 and had previously served in Northern Ireland, Iraq, the former republic of Yugoslavia, Kenya, and Poland.

Based in South Cerney, she was from 29 Postal Courier and Movement Regiment and was deployed as part of 80 Postal and Courier Squadron to join Operation TELIC.

Her family was at her bedside when she died.

'First class postie'

Lt Col Iain McKend RLC, commanding officer of 29 Postal Courier and Movement Regiment, described her as an "entirely professional" and "warm-hearted" member of the army's postal and courier community.

He said: "Her down-to-earth, helpful and friendly presence will be sorely missed."

Maj Neil Blenkinsop RLC, from 80 Postal and Courier Squadron, 29 Postal Courier and Movement Regiment, said: "L/Cpl Sarah Holmes will be forever remembered as a first class postie, and a true friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing her."

Defence Secretary Des Browne said "L/Cpl Holmes' death is tragic and my thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time."