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Gunman who shot SAS man 'unknown' | Gunman who shot SAS man 'unknown' |
(about 6 hours later) | |
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. | 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 to which insurgents also had access. | 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. |
'Some difficulties' | |
Hereford Coroner's Court had heard 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 on 24 November, 2006. He died in a military hospital. | Sgt Hollingsworth had been leading three teams on the operation on 24 November, 2006. He died in a military hospital. |
(Kate Hollingsworth) is comforted to know that Jon was amongst friends when he died and they did their best for him Andrew DavidsonMrs Hollingsworth's representative | |
Mr Halpern said it was known the soldier was killed by a gunshot wound. | 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. | "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? | "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." | "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. | 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." | "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." | 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." |
Speaking after the inquest, Mrs Hollingsworth said she was "disappointed" but understood the coroner's decision. | |
'Bear no malice' | |
Her representative Andrew Davidson said: "She and her family only wanted to establish the truth about what happened to Jon, nothing more than that, and bear no malice to any individual. | |
"She is comforted to know that Jon was amongst friends when he died and they did their best for him. | |
"She recognises that they too have suffered loss." | |
He added that if there were "any lessons to be learned" the family hoped that they could be employed for the benefit of others. | |
He said that Mrs Hollingsworth was "grateful for the support from the Army and her friends at this distressing time". | |
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of Sgt Jonathan Hollingsworth at this difficult time. | |
"Sgt Hollingsworth, a member of the Parachute Regiment, on secondment to Headquarters Multinational Division South East, Iraq, was killed on a successful operation to detain those who were known to attack both civilian and military personnel. | |
"He did not die in vain." |