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UK soldier dies in Iraq accident UK soldier dies in Iraq accident
(about 1 hour later)
A British soldier has been killed in Iraq in a road accident, the Ministry of Defence has said.A British soldier has been killed in Iraq in a road accident, the Ministry of Defence has said.
Two other soldiers involved in the incident sustained minor injuries, according to the MoD.Two other soldiers involved in the incident sustained minor injuries, according to the MoD.
The soldier, from the Queen's Royal Lancers, died in an accident involving a tracked reconnaissance vehicle.The soldier, from the Queen's Royal Lancers, died in an accident involving a tracked reconnaissance vehicle.
The accident took place in Maysan Province, in southern Iraq. The death means a total of 128 UK troops have been killed during operations in Iraq.The accident took place in Maysan Province, in southern Iraq. The death means a total of 128 UK troops have been killed during operations in Iraq.
In a statement, the MoD said: "The accident occurred this morning in Maysan Province. Two other soldiers sustained minor injuries. Major Charlie Burbridge, a spokesman for the multinational forces in Southern Iraq, gave details of the accident.
"The injured soldiers were medically evacuated immediately and are receiving treatment." He said: "A light-armoured vehicle was involved in a patrol. The vehicle left the road, we're not sure why, but having left the road it crashed.
Of those killed in Iraq, 96 died in action. Next of kin
Situation 'deteriorating' "The vehicle's commander sustained injuries which resulted in his death."
The crash is said to have happened in the early hours, shortly after dawn, in a rural area where conditions were cold and in places muddy.
The soldier was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Maj Burbridge.
The other two members of the three-man crew - the driver and a soldier in the turret - have been treated at a field hospital in Basra for minor injuries.
An MoD spokesman said the dead soldier's next of kin have been informed.
'Cut and run'
They have "requested a grace period of 24 hours before the name of the soldier is released", he said.
The Queen's Royal Lancers are two months into a six-month tour of Iraq.
Of the British soldiers killed in Iraq, 96 died in action.
The remainder of the deaths were caused by accidents, natural causes or illness, remain unexplained, or are still under investigation.The remainder of the deaths were caused by accidents, natural causes or illness, remain unexplained, or are still under investigation.
In December, Defence Secretary Des Browne told MPs British forces will not "cut and run" from Iraq by following a "prescriptive timetable" for withdrawal.In December, Defence Secretary Des Browne told MPs British forces will not "cut and run" from Iraq by following a "prescriptive timetable" for withdrawal.
Mr Browne said the security strategy was "clear and hasn't changed".Mr Browne said the security strategy was "clear and hasn't changed".
He promised to "resist cynicism and defeatism, so long as we still believe we are making a difference".
The defence secretary's comments came shortly after a report published by the US cross-party Iraq Study Group said the situation in Iraq was "deteriorating" and warned that "time is running out".
It recommended the US should talk to Iran and Syria, while shifting its own efforts towards the support and training of the Iraqi armed forces.