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Narrative verdict on troop deaths Troop deaths 'avoidable tragedy'
(23 minutes later)
A coroner has recorded a narrative verdict on two UK soldiers who were killed by "friendly fire" from British troops in Iraq. A coroner has criticised an Army officer over a "completely avoidable tragedy" in which two British soldiers were killed by "friendly fire" in Iraq.
Andrew Walker, Oxfordshire assistant deputy coroner, said he was unable to record a verdict of "unlawful killing" because it had been a combat situation. Andrew Walker, Oxfordshire assistant deputy coroner, recorded a narrative verdict on Cpl Stephen Allbutt's death.
Cpl Stephen Allbutt, 35, and Trooper David Clarke, 19, both from Staffs, died near Basra on 25 March 2003. He was unable to record an "unlawful killing" verdict because the 35-year-old died in a combat situation.
The inquest heard that they were fired on by a Black Watch tank crew. Trooper David Clarke, 19, died in the same incident but because no body was found an inquest could not be held.
Cpl Allbutt, a father-of-two from Stoke-on-Trent, and Trooper Clarke, of Littleworth, died just five days after the start of the Iraq war. The inquest heard that the pair had been fired on by a Black Watch tank crew.
Cpl Allbutt, a father-of-two from Stoke-on-Trent, and Trooper Clarke, of Littleworth, died just five days after the start of the Iraq war, near Basra on 25 March 2003.
They had both been serving with the Queen's Royal Lancers.They had both been serving with the Queen's Royal Lancers.