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Gunman who shot SAS man 'unknown' Gunman who shot SAS man 'unknown'
(10 minutes later)
A coroner said he was unable to conclude whether an SAS soldier killed rescuing soldiers in Iraq was shot by an insurgent or by a fellow soldier. A coroner said he was unable to conclude whether an SAS soldier killed rescuing soldiers in Iraq was shot by an insurgent or a fellow soldier.
Sgt Jonathan Hollingsworth, 35, was hit in the chest as his unit freed a group of Western security guards held hostage in a Basra apartment block in 2006.Sgt Jonathan Hollingsworth, 35, was hit in the chest as his unit freed a group of Western security guards held hostage in a Basra apartment block in 2006.
The inquest heard he was killed with a bullet type used by British troops, but which insurgents also used. The inquest heard he was killed with a bullet type used by British troops, but to which insurgents also had access.
Hereford Coroner David Halpern returned a narrative verdict. Hereford coroner David Halpern returned a narrative verdict.
Such a verdict sets out the circumstances surrounding a death.Such a verdict sets out the circumstances surrounding a death.
Mr Halpern was told at the inquest earlier that it was "well known" insurgents had access to British bullets. Hereford Coroner's Court had heard it was "well known" insurgents had access to British bullets.
Sgt Hollingsworth had been leading three teams on the operation in November 2006. He died from his injury in a military hospital. Sgt Hollingsworth had been leading three teams on the operation on 24 November, 2006. He died in a military hospital.
'Some difficulties'
Mr Halpern said it was known the soldier was killed by a gunshot wound.
"What we don't know is who discharged that bullet and where it came from," he added.
"Was it, sadly, own fire or was it insurgent fire?
"With those doubts in my mind, it does cause me some difficulties in looking at verdicts."
He said of the British soldiers who were with Sgt Hollingsworth in the apartment block: "It is difficult to comprehend that one of them would or could have accidentally discharged his weapon, but it is not beyond the realms of a possibility.
"We will say no further than that."
Returning the narrative verdict, Mr Halpern told the soldier's widow Kate: "I am very sorry that I have not been able to better answer some of the questions you must have."