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Coroner attacks minefield rescue Coroner attacks minefield rescue
(30 minutes later)
Those in charge when a UK soldier was killed in a mine blast in Afghanistan should "hang their heads in shame" at the errors made, a coroner has said.Those in charge when a UK soldier was killed in a mine blast in Afghanistan should "hang their heads in shame" at the errors made, a coroner has said.
Cpl Mark Wright, 27, of Edinburgh, died as he helped an injured colleague.Cpl Mark Wright, 27, of Edinburgh, died as he helped an injured colleague.
The inquest had heard troops tried to wave away a rescue Chinook which they predicted would set off another mine.The inquest had heard troops tried to wave away a rescue Chinook which they predicted would set off another mine.
Recording a narrative verdict coroner Andrew Walker said it was "lamentable" the UK was not equipped to stage an effective rescue. Recording a narrative verdict coroner Andrew Walker criticised the MoD and said it was "lamentable" the UK was not equipped to stage an effective rescue.
The verdict would make "very difficult reading" for the Ministry of Defence, said BBC correspondent Alex Bushill. The verdict listed a catalogue of failures and would make "very difficult reading" for the Ministry of Defence, said BBC correspondent Alex Bushill.
Six other soldiers were injured, including three who lost limbs, in the incident on 6 September 2006.
The parents of Cpl Mark Wright said lessons must now be followed
Cpl Wright was posthumously awarded the George Cross for his actions in aiding a colleague and continuing to command the incident despite his own serious injuries.
In a statement from Cpl Wright's family, their solicitor said the coroner had made it clear there had been "really serious systemic failures" in providing the correct training, intelligence and resources for troops to do their jobs.In a statement from Cpl Wright's family, their solicitor said the coroner had made it clear there had been "really serious systemic failures" in providing the correct training, intelligence and resources for troops to do their jobs.
The coroner said that the blast which killed Cpl Wright was caused by the "downwash" from the British Chinook sent to rescue a platoon of Paras who had been stranded in an unmarked minefield. Mr Walker said that the blast which killed Cpl Wright was caused by the "downwash" from the British Chinook sent to rescue the platoon of Paras who had been stranded in an unmarked minefield.
He said Cpl Wright's death could have been avoided but for a lack of equipment and said those responsible "should hang their heads in shame". He said Cpl Wright's death could have been avoided but for a lack of equipment and said those responsible "should hang their heads in shame". We are satisfied that Mark did not cause his own death, or contribute to it in any way. This will give us some peace of mind Cpl Wright's father Bobby
The soldiers, who were from the Parachute Regiment's 3rd Battalion, had been injured by blasts after one of their snipers strayed into the unmarked danger zone in the Kajaki region of Helmand province.
The marooned troops asked for a helicopter with a winch to be sent to pick up the sniper, whose leg had been blown off.
They were told none were available and the Chinook, which was not fitted with a winch, was sent instead. But when it arrived the concerned soldiers tried to wave it away.
As it departed another mine exploded, striking Cpl Wright.
The survivors were rescued some three hours later by two US Blackhawk helicopters which were fitted with winches.
In delivering his verdict the coroner said three main factors contributed to Cpl Wright's death:
• A lack of availability in Afghanistan of appropriate UK helicopters fitted with a winch
• The downwash from the Chinook helicopter sent to the minefield
• The administrative delay in sending a suitable helicopter.
Mr Walker also criticised a lack of batteries for radios at observation posts, which hampered the ability to communicate, as well as a failure to provide meaningful information to soldiers about the threat of mines in the area.
He also spoke out against the teaching methods used to train soldiers to locate and mark mines.
Speaking outside the Oxford court as the two-week inquest ended Cpl Wright's father Bobby said he, and Cpl Wright's mother Jem, were "proud" of the courage their son displayed.
"We are also proud to be associated with the courage of his colleagues, both on that day and in coming to this inquest, to relive those events.
"We are satisfied that Mark did not cause his own death, or contribute to it in any way. This will give us some peace of mind."
He said it had been "painful to listen to the catalogue of errors" that led to their son's death and said they did not want other families to experience the loss of a child in similar circumstances.