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Soldier 'shot by British bullet' SAS man 'shot by British bullet'
(31 minutes later)
An SAS soldier who died fighting insurgents in Iraq was shot by a type of bullet used by British troops, an inquest has heard.An SAS soldier who died fighting insurgents in Iraq was shot by a type of bullet used by British troops, an inquest has heard.
Sgt Jonathan Hollingsworth was shot in the chest with a 5.56mm bullet while storming an apartment block in Basra on 24 November 2006.Sgt Jonathan Hollingsworth was shot in the chest with a 5.56mm bullet while storming an apartment block in Basra on 24 November 2006.
The 35-year-old died later in a military hospital.The 35-year-old died later in a military hospital.
The inquest at Hereford Town Hall heard it was "well known" insurgents had access to British bullets. Sgt Hollingsworth's colleagues told the Hereford inquest they did not hear a gunshot and no weapons were found.
Sgt Hollingsworth had been leading three teams on the operation in which he was killed, Hereford Coroner David Halpern was told. Hereford Coroner David Halpern was also told it was "well known" insurgents had access to British bullets.
'Mixed up' Sgt Hollingsworth had been leading three teams on the operation in which he was killed.
'No-go area'
He and another soldier, known as Soldier B, had been the first to enter a flat in the apartment block, the Hereford Town Hall inquest heard.He and another soldier, known as Soldier B, had been the first to enter a flat in the apartment block, the Hereford Town Hall inquest heard.
He said they had just entered the kitchen when Sgt Hollingsworth told him he needed a medic. The environment was "dark and very dusty" and pretty much a "no-go area" for British troops.
Soldier B said they had just entered the kitchen when Sgt Hollingsworth told him he needed a medic.
He died with friends holding his hand Colleague of Sgt Hollingsworth
He said he did not fire his own gun and did not see anyone who appeared to be carrying a weapon other than British troops.
Soldiers entering the flat found men, women and children and detained all the men in the apartments, apart from two who escaped.
Mr Halpern said it was a "possibility" that one of these men had a weapon, discharged it, and jumped over the balcony.
Another soldier, identified only as H, who was down a corridor in the flat and armed with a weapon which fired 5.56mm bullets said he did not use it at any time.
He added he did not see any Iraqis with weapons and also did not hear any gunshots.
He said a "relatively quick" search after Sgt Hollingsworth was injured did not find any weapons or 5.56 ammunition in the flat.
'Mixed up'
Soldier B, who was in charge of ammunition stores, said the bullet which killed Sgt Hollingsworth - an "RG" type manufactured before 2000 - would not have been used by troops on operations, but only in training.Soldier B, who was in charge of ammunition stores, said the bullet which killed Sgt Hollingsworth - an "RG" type manufactured before 2000 - would not have been used by troops on operations, but only in training.
He said troops on operations would use bullets produced after 2000.
Andrew Davidson, representing Sgt Hollingsworth's family, asked Soldier B: "Ammunition is ammunition, it might get mixed up - is that fair?"Andrew Davidson, representing Sgt Hollingsworth's family, asked Soldier B: "Ammunition is ammunition, it might get mixed up - is that fair?"
Soldier B replied: "Yes, possibly."Soldier B replied: "Yes, possibly."
Sgt Hollingsworth was the 126th UK service personnel to die since the start of hostilities in Iraq.Sgt Hollingsworth was the 126th UK service personnel to die since the start of hostilities in Iraq.
Another soldier, who treated Sgt Hollingsworth after he was injured, asked to pass on a message to his colleague's family.
He said: "At the time that Jon died, I'd just like you to know that he died with friends.
"He died with friends holding his hand."
The inquest continues.The inquest continues.