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Royal Marines 'hit roadside bomb' Royal Marines 'hit roadside bomb'
(about 4 hours later)
Two Royal Marines were killed when their patrol vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, an inquest heard.Two Royal Marines were killed when their patrol vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, an inquest heard.
Lt John Thornton, 22, from Ferndown, Dorset, died in Helmand Province alongside Marine David Marsh, 23, from Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Lt John Thornton, 22, from Ferndown, Dorset, and Marine David Marsh, 23, from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, died in Helmand province.
The men, of Somerset's 40 Commando, were both thrown from the vehicle, the inquest at Trowbridge Town Hall heard. The men from Somerset's 40 Commando were both thrown from the vehicle, the inquest at Trowbridge Town Hall heard.
The marines were killed on 30 March 2008, just before they were due to return home from a six-month tour.The marines were killed on 30 March 2008, just before they were due to return home from a six-month tour.
The pair from C-Company were travelling in a WMIK, a combat patrol model of the Land Rover, outside Forward Operating Base Zeebrugge, near the Kajaki Dam, the hearing heard. The pair from C-Company were travelling in a WMIK, a combat patrol model of the Land Rover, outside Forward Operating Base Zeebrugge, near the Kajaki dam, the hearing heard.
'Hated the area'
Lt Thornton and Marine Marsh, who was driving, were both thrown from the car as it turned into an area known as Thornton's Crescent and struck a pressure pad explosive device.Lt Thornton and Marine Marsh, who was driving, were both thrown from the car as it turned into an area known as Thornton's Crescent and struck a pressure pad explosive device.
Medic Corporal Stephen Tee, of the Royal Army Medical Corps, who was also in the vehicle, became trapped under boxes of machine gun ammunition but survived.
A statement from him read at the inquest at Trowbridge Town Hall described the soldiers' final moments.
He said: "I recall the driver Marine Marsh saying that he hated the area we were travelling through because it was hidden by peaks. By this he meant it was out of the sight of friendly forces.
"After saying this a large explosion tore through the WMIK.
"Although it was a large explosion, I did not lose consciousness from the blast, and I was not deafened."
Cpl Tee said the vehicle was shattered through its middle, and the rear end was lifted into the air by the explosion.
He continued: "I had fallen from the rear end and I was buried under eight to ten boxes machine gun ammunition tract.
"I shouted out 'is everyone all right'. I then shouted 'I'm trapped'."
'Blast wounds''Blast wounds'
Opening the inquest, Coroner David Masters said: "Marine Marsh died instantly. Lt Thornton suffered severe injuries. Cpl Tee was then freed and rushed over give the soldiers emergency medical treatment.
Coroner David Masters said: "Marine Marsh died instantly. Lt Thornton suffered severe injuries.
"Both after treatment were taken to Camp Bastion hospital by medical emergency response helicopter."Both after treatment were taken to Camp Bastion hospital by medical emergency response helicopter.
"Both were certified dead so very sadly that day.""Both were certified dead so very sadly that day."
A post-mortem examination conducted found they both died of blast wounds caused by an explosion, Mr Masters said.A post-mortem examination conducted found they both died of blast wounds caused by an explosion, Mr Masters said.
Lt Thornton joined the Royal Marines on 31 August 2004 and had previously served in Iraq.Lt Thornton joined the Royal Marines on 31 August 2004 and had previously served in Iraq.
Marine Marsh had recently moved to Norton Fitzwarren, near Taunton in Somerset, with his wife Claire and young daughter Molly.Marine Marsh had recently moved to Norton Fitzwarren, near Taunton in Somerset, with his wife Claire and young daughter Molly.
He joined the Royal Marines in September 2002.He joined the Royal Marines in September 2002.
Both men were deployed to southern Afghanistan in September 2007, and were five months in to their tour when they died. Both men were deployed to southern Afghanistan in September 2007, and were five months into their tour when they died.
At the time, their deaths took the number of British military fatalities in Afghanistan since the start of operations in November 2001 to 91. That figure now stands at 153.At the time, their deaths took the number of British military fatalities in Afghanistan since the start of operations in November 2001 to 91. That figure now stands at 153.