Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / ENGLAND
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

Tuesday, 4 July 2006, 13:38 GMT 14:38 UK

Fifth held in barracks death case

Flag flying at half mast at barracks A fifth soldier has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the death of a 22-year-old serviceman.

The 29-year-old joins four colleagues, aged 44, 35, 31 and 28 who are being questioned by Wiltshire Police.

The men were arrested after the young serviceman died at about noon on Monday, following unofficial exercises on Salisbury Plain.

All were with the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Regiment based at the Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth.

'Hot and agitated'

A Ministry of Defence spokesman would not be drawn on reports that the soldier had suffered heat exhaustion.

Wiltshire Ambulance Service said they were called to the Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre at the barracks where they found him unconscious.

It is understood he came around briefly and was delivered to Salisbury hospital at 1340 BST, but subsequently died.

The soldier was said to have been "hot and agitated" when he was taken to hospital.

A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out by a Home Office pathologist .

Police investigation

The Ministry of Defence said it was taking the incident "extremely seriously", but added that it was for the police to comment on the investigation.

The four men arrested following the death were left to sleep overnight before police began questioning them on Tuesday.

The 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh Regiment was founded 300 years ago and has 600 members based at Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth.

A Welsh flag was being flown at half-mast at the entrance to the barracks.




E-mail this to a friend

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Wiltshire Police
British Army
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©