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Helicopter crash soldier tributes Helicopter crash soldier tributes
(about 12 hours later)
Friends of a soldier killed in a helicopter crash in Iraq have described him as an "awesome, unassuming, lovely bloke".Friends of a soldier killed in a helicopter crash in Iraq have described him as an "awesome, unassuming, lovely bloke".
Colour Sergeant Mark Lawrence Powell, 37, grew up in Porthcawl, but lived in Hereford with his architect wife and six-month-old baby.Colour Sergeant Mark Lawrence Powell, 37, grew up in Porthcawl, but lived in Hereford with his architect wife and six-month-old baby.
Colour Sergeant Powell, who was serving with the Parachute Regiment, was killed in the early hours of Sunday.Colour Sergeant Powell, who was serving with the Parachute Regiment, was killed in the early hours of Sunday.
Two British helicopters were involved in the mid-air collision near Baghdad.Two British helicopters were involved in the mid-air collision near Baghdad.
A keen surfer, Colour Sergeant Powell, still returned to the town where he learned the sport with his old school friends.A keen surfer, Colour Sergeant Powell, still returned to the town where he learned the sport with his old school friends.
ShockShock
Simon Tucker who runs a local surf academy said: "He was a lovely bloke, friendly to everyone. It is a shock to everyone." Simon Tucker, who runs a local surf academy, said: "He was a lovely bloke, friendly to everyone. It is a shock to everyone."
Mr Tucker added that when he was young, Colour Sergeant Powell, had always wanted a career in the services.Mr Tucker added that when he was young, Colour Sergeant Powell, had always wanted a career in the services.
The former Porthcawl Comprehensive pupil had been in the Welsh surf team, Mr Tucker said.The former Porthcawl Comprehensive pupil had been in the Welsh surf team, Mr Tucker said.
The Puma helicopters came down in the early hours of Sunday in a rural area near Taji, where there is a large US base.The Puma helicopters came down in the early hours of Sunday in a rural area near Taji, where there is a large US base.
It is believed the helicopters had been taking part in a special forces mission.It is believed the helicopters had been taking part in a special forces mission.
A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman said the crash was being treated as an accident and a full investigation would be carried out.A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman said the crash was being treated as an accident and a full investigation would be carried out.
On Monday the MoD paid tribute to Mr Powell who joined his regiment more than 16 years ago.On Monday the MoD paid tribute to Mr Powell who joined his regiment more than 16 years ago.
A statement said: "He was an exemplary combat leader, soldier, father, husband, friend and Briton, dedicated to his family, his men, his mission and his country.A statement said: "He was an exemplary combat leader, soldier, father, husband, friend and Briton, dedicated to his family, his men, his mission and his country.
"In the finest traditions of the army and his regiment - he was utterly selfless; never shirking danger, effort or hard service in the pursuit of his mission."In the finest traditions of the army and his regiment - he was utterly selfless; never shirking danger, effort or hard service in the pursuit of his mission.
"His loss is tragic, and keenly felt by all, but his example to others will be sure to endure and inspire us all for years to come."His loss is tragic, and keenly felt by all, but his example to others will be sure to endure and inspire us all for years to come.
"Our thoughts now are with his family and his comrades.""Our thoughts now are with his family and his comrades."