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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Iraq death crash sergeant named | Iraq death crash sergeant named |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| A British soldier killed in a road accident in Iraq has been named by the Ministry of Defence. | A British soldier killed in a road accident in Iraq has been named by the Ministry of Defence. |
| Sergeant Wayne Rees, 36, of the Queen's Royal Lancers, was killed in the accident involving a tracked reconnaissance vehicle on Sunday. | Sergeant Wayne Rees, 36, of the Queen's Royal Lancers, was killed in the accident involving a tracked reconnaissance vehicle on Sunday. |
| Two other soldiers sustained minor injuries in the road crash in the Maysan Province, in southern Iraq. | Two other soldiers sustained minor injuries in the road crash in the Maysan Province, in southern Iraq. |
| Sgt Rees, a father-of-two from Worksop, was described by colleagues as a kind, loving and respected friend. | |
| His death brings the total number of UK troops killed during operations in Iraq to 128. | His death brings the total number of UK troops killed during operations in Iraq to 128. |
| Major Charlie Burbridge, a spokesman for the multinational forces in Southern Iraq, said the crash happened during a patrol. | Major Charlie Burbridge, a spokesman for the multinational forces in Southern Iraq, said the crash happened during a patrol. |
| To be friends with him was to feel like you were part of his family Sergeant Adam Westwood | To be friends with him was to feel like you were part of his family Sergeant Adam Westwood |
| "The vehicle left the road, we're not sure why, but having left the road it crashed," he said. | "The vehicle left the road, we're not sure why, but having left the road it crashed," he said. |
| 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. |
| Sgt Rees was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Maj Burbridge. | Sgt Rees 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. |
| 'Loveable rogue' | 'Loveable rogue' |
| Colleagues paid tribute to Sgt Rees, known to friends as Mave, who leaves behind his fiancee, Jayne, and two children, aged 11 and seven. | Colleagues paid tribute to Sgt Rees, known to friends as Mave, who leaves behind his fiancee, Jayne, and two children, aged 11 and seven. |
| His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Nixon-Eckersall, said serving with the soldier was a privilege. | |
| "A consummate professional; he led his men with flair and took great pride in ensuring that they wanted for nothing," he said. | |
| "He was a great character and embodied the essence of what it is to be a reconnaissance soldier; no matter what the challenge he could be counted on to find a solution." | |
| He added: "He is a great loss to The Queen's Royal Lancers. We are privileged to have served with him and will always remember a bright, energetic and talented man, with a mischievous sense of humour. | |
| 'Inspired' | 'Inspired' |
| Sergeant Adam Westwood, who knew Sgt Rees throughout his 16-year Army career, said: "To be friends with him was to feel like you were part of his family." | Sergeant Adam Westwood, who knew Sgt Rees throughout his 16-year Army career, said: "To be friends with him was to feel like you were part of his family." |
| Regimental Sergeant Major, Ian Savage, described him as being kind, caring and considerate to everyone, from the highest to the lowest rank. | Regimental Sergeant Major, Ian Savage, described him as being kind, caring and considerate to everyone, from the highest to the lowest rank. |
| "He was simply a great friend, a great bloke and a loveable rogue." | "He was simply a great friend, a great bloke and a loveable rogue." |
| Squadron leader, Major Martin Todd said "We will continue in our task saddened without him, but inspired by his example and remembering always a staunch comrade-in-arms and the very best of friends." | Squadron leader, Major Martin Todd said "We will continue in our task saddened without him, but inspired by his example and remembering always a staunch comrade-in-arms and the very best of friends." |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne said his thoughts were with Sgt Rees' family. | Defence Secretary Des Browne said his thoughts were with Sgt Rees' family. |
| 'Strategy unchanged' | 'Strategy unchanged' |
| 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. | 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". |