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| UK soldier dies in Iraq accident | UK soldier dies in Iraq accident |
| (40 minutes 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. |
| Major Charlie Burbridge, a spokesman for the multinational forces in Southern Iraq, gave details of the accident. | Major Charlie Burbridge, a spokesman for the multinational forces in Southern Iraq, gave details of the accident. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Next of kin | Next of kin |
| "The vehicle's commander sustained injuries which resulted in his death." | "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 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 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. | 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. | An MoD spokesman said the dead soldier's next of kin have been informed. |
| They have "requested a grace period of 24 hours before the name of the soldier is released", he said. | They have "requested a grace period of 24 hours before the name of the soldier is released", he said. |
| 'Providing support' | |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "I was saddened to hear about the road traffic accident in which one of our soldiers lost their life. | |
| "Our thoughts are with the family and friends, and we will be providing them with all the support we can at this difficult time." | |
| The Queen's Royal Lancers are two months into a six-month tour of Iraq. | 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. | 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, Mr 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". |