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| Two British soldiers killed in tank training exercise are named | Two British soldiers killed in tank training exercise are named |
| (7 months later) | |
| Corporals Matthew Hatfield, 27, and Darren Neilson, 31, died after explosion or fire in tank at Castlemartin ranges in Wales | |
| Steven Morris and agency | |
| Fri 16 Jun 2017 13.49 BST | |
| Last modified on Mon 27 Nov 2017 22.34 GMT | |
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| Army chiefs have paid tribute to two “exceptionally talented” British soldiers who were killed during a tank training exercise in the UK. The pair, both members of the Royal Tank Regiment, were named as Corporals Matthew Hatfield, 27, and Darren Neilson, 31. | Army chiefs have paid tribute to two “exceptionally talented” British soldiers who were killed during a tank training exercise in the UK. The pair, both members of the Royal Tank Regiment, were named as Corporals Matthew Hatfield, 27, and Darren Neilson, 31. |
| Two other soldiers badly wounded in the incident at Castlemartin ranges in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales, remain in hospital and are described as being in a “serious condition”. | Two other soldiers badly wounded in the incident at Castlemartin ranges in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales, remain in hospital and are described as being in a “serious condition”. |
| It is understood that there an explosion or intense fire occurred inside a Challenger 2 tank on Wednesday. No other tank was involved, and the Challenger was not hit by a shell. One theory being explored is that ammunition in the tank caught fire or exploded. Police and military personnel are investigating, and a worldwide ban on tank live-firing exercises involving British troops has been put in place. | It is understood that there an explosion or intense fire occurred inside a Challenger 2 tank on Wednesday. No other tank was involved, and the Challenger was not hit by a shell. One theory being explored is that ammunition in the tank caught fire or exploded. Police and military personnel are investigating, and a worldwide ban on tank live-firing exercises involving British troops has been put in place. |
| Both men who died were fathers. Hatfield lived in Wiltshire, Neilson in Lancashire. Paying tribute to them, Lt Col Simon Ridgway, commanding officer of the Royal Tank Regiment, said: “They were both exceptionally talented soldiers who loved what they did. The regiment has lost two real characters and feels truly honoured to have served with them; they will both be sorely missed. | Both men who died were fathers. Hatfield lived in Wiltshire, Neilson in Lancashire. Paying tribute to them, Lt Col Simon Ridgway, commanding officer of the Royal Tank Regiment, said: “They were both exceptionally talented soldiers who loved what they did. The regiment has lost two real characters and feels truly honoured to have served with them; they will both be sorely missed. |
| “The two other soldiers involved in this incident remain in a serious condition; our thoughts and prayers are with all their families and friends at this incredibly difficult time. We request that their privacy is respected.” | “The two other soldiers involved in this incident remain in a serious condition; our thoughts and prayers are with all their families and friends at this incredibly difficult time. We request that their privacy is respected.” |
| Flags at the ranges were being flown at half mast. One of the victims died at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and the other at Morriston hospital in Swansea. A third soldier is being treated in Morriston and the fourth is being treated in Birmingham. | Flags at the ranges were being flown at half mast. One of the victims died at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and the other at Morriston hospital in Swansea. A third soldier is being treated in Morriston and the fourth is being treated in Birmingham. |
| Friends and family posted tributes on Facebook to Hatfield. One said: “Sleep tight, Matthew Hatfield … Great memories growing up together and your messages to me whilst I was out in Afghan from your experiences.” | Friends and family posted tributes on Facebook to Hatfield. One said: “Sleep tight, Matthew Hatfield … Great memories growing up together and your messages to me whilst I was out in Afghan from your experiences.” |
| Another said: “The stories I could tell from being little rebels to mischievous teenagers to see you grow into a kickass soldier, a father and a wonderful friend to many. You sir have done your family proud, I’m lucky to have known and shared so many memories with such a kindhearted person.” | Another said: “The stories I could tell from being little rebels to mischievous teenagers to see you grow into a kickass soldier, a father and a wonderful friend to many. You sir have done your family proud, I’m lucky to have known and shared so many memories with such a kindhearted person.” |
| The defence minister, Tobias Ellwood, said: “The safety of our personnel is our absolute priority and a full investigation is under way to understand the details of this tragic incident.” | The defence minister, Tobias Ellwood, said: “The safety of our personnel is our absolute priority and a full investigation is under way to understand the details of this tragic incident.” |
| A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “The defence accident investigation branch is conducting an investigation in conjunction with the civilian police. A ban on tank live-fire training has been put in place until the findings of the investigation are known. Further action will follow as appropriate.” | A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “The defence accident investigation branch is conducting an investigation in conjunction with the civilian police. A ban on tank live-fire training has been put in place until the findings of the investigation are known. Further action will follow as appropriate.” |
| On 7 June the Wiltshire-based regiment, whose motto is “Fear naught”, posted on its Facebook page that Badger squadron had arrived in Castlemartin for its annual firing period. On 11 June an update showed a video of a tank firing on the range. The accompanying post said: “FIRING! Here a crew from BADGER take on a tank target in Castlemartin. FEAR NAUGHT.” | On 7 June the Wiltshire-based regiment, whose motto is “Fear naught”, posted on its Facebook page that Badger squadron had arrived in Castlemartin for its annual firing period. On 11 June an update showed a video of a tank firing on the range. The accompanying post said: “FIRING! Here a crew from BADGER take on a tank target in Castlemartin. FEAR NAUGHT.” |
| The Royal Tank Regiment is the oldest tank unit in the world and has been deployed in key conflicts since the end of the second world war. This year the regiment has conducted exercises in countries including South Korea and Jordan. | The Royal Tank Regiment is the oldest tank unit in the world and has been deployed in key conflicts since the end of the second world war. This year the regiment has conducted exercises in countries including South Korea and Jordan. |
| The police said detectives were investigating the incident along with the Health and Safety Executive and the MoD. | The police said detectives were investigating the incident along with the Health and Safety Executive and the MoD. |
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