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'Friendly fire' probe into deaths 'Friendly fire' probe into deaths
(10 minutes later)
An investigation has been launched into whether two British servicemen killed in Afghanistan died as a result of "friendly fire".An investigation has been launched into whether two British servicemen killed in Afghanistan died as a result of "friendly fire".
The Ministry of Defence confirmed the probe after the men were named as Capt Tom Sawyer, 26, of the Royal Artillery, and Marine Cpl Danny Winter, 28.The Ministry of Defence confirmed the probe after the men were named as Capt Tom Sawyer, 26, of the Royal Artillery, and Marine Cpl Danny Winter, 28.
They died in an explosion during an operation against enemy forces in central Helmand province on Wednesday.They died in an explosion during an operation against enemy forces in central Helmand province on Wednesday.
The MoD said their mission was to clear compounds in a Taleban stronghold.The MoD said their mission was to clear compounds in a Taleban stronghold.
Capt Sawyer and Cpl Winter were taking part in a joint operation with a Danish battle group and the Afghan National Army, north east of the town of Gereshk.Capt Sawyer and Cpl Winter were taking part in a joint operation with a Danish battle group and the Afghan National Army, north east of the town of Gereshk.
Their deaths took the number of British forces to die since the start of operations in October 2001 to 141.Their deaths took the number of British forces to die since the start of operations in October 2001 to 141.
'Selfless legacy' In a statement on Friday, the MoD said: "We can confirm that an investigation is under way into a suspected friendly fire incident in Helmand province on Wednesday 14 January, in which Captain Tom Sawyer and Corporal Danny Winter were killed. Both died doing jobs they loved and for a cause vitally important to their country Defence Secretary John Hutton class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7833560.stm">UK troops killed in Helmand named
Capt Sawyer, from Hertfordshire, had been married for less than a year. His family paid tribute to him, calling him "loyal, loud and loving". Both died doing jobs they loved and for a cause vitally important to their country Defence Secretary John Hutton class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7833560.stm">UK troops killed in Helmand named "No further information will be released until the full investigation is completed."
Cpl Winter, who was from Stockport, was his company's mortar expert and had previously served in Northern Ireland and Iraq. Capt Sawyer, from Hertfordshire, had been married for less than a year. His family paid tribute to him, calling him "loyal, loud and loving".
Cpl Winter, who was from Stockport, was his company's mortar expert and had previously served in Northern Ireland and Iraq. His commanding officer said he was "brave, committed and extremely determined".
Defence Secretary John Hutton said Britain owed both men "a debt".Defence Secretary John Hutton said Britain owed both men "a debt".
"It was with great sadness that I learnt of the deaths of Captain Tom Sawyer and Corporal Danny Winter, one a proven mentor and leader and the other an NCO of great professionalism and experience," he said.
"Both died doing jobs they loved and for a cause vitally important to their country.""Both died doing jobs they loved and for a cause vitally important to their country."