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Iraq rivers 'safe', inquest hears Iraq rivers 'safe', inquest hears
(about 1 hour later)
The waterways of Iraq were considered the safest way for troops to travel, the inquest into the deaths of four British personnel has heard.The waterways of Iraq were considered the safest way for troops to travel, the inquest into the deaths of four British personnel has heard.
The four were killed by an explosive device on a bridge on the Shatt al-Arab River near Basra on 12 November 2006.The four were killed by an explosive device on a bridge on the Shatt al-Arab River near Basra on 12 November 2006.
This was the first time troops had died on a boat since the 2003 invasion.This was the first time troops had died on a boat since the 2003 invasion.
They were Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Hopkins, Staff Sergeant Sharron Elliott, Corporal Ben Nowak and Marine Jason "Jay" Hylton.They were Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Hopkins, Staff Sergeant Sharron Elliott, Corporal Ben Nowak and Marine Jason "Jay" Hylton.
The river was used to transport military staff between the British bases at Basra Palace and the Shatt al-Arab Hotel.The river was used to transport military staff between the British bases at Basra Palace and the Shatt al-Arab Hotel.
'Safest means''Safest means'
Captain Richard Morris, of 539 Assault Squadron, Royal Marines, said the point where the bomb was detonated was a known danger spot.Captain Richard Morris, of 539 Assault Squadron, Royal Marines, said the point where the bomb was detonated was a known danger spot.
But he said although vessels passing the spot had been fired upon in the past, there had been no improvised explosive attacks or fatalities since UK troops had arrived in 2003.But he said although vessels passing the spot had been fired upon in the past, there had been no improvised explosive attacks or fatalities since UK troops had arrived in 2003.
Capt Morris said: "Boats were the favoured way of moving along the waterway because at the time boats had never been targeted.Capt Morris said: "Boats were the favoured way of moving along the waterway because at the time boats had never been targeted.
"It was perceived to be the safest means of travel.""It was perceived to be the safest means of travel."
There was no intelligence that an attack was planned, it was heardThere was no intelligence that an attack was planned, it was heard
Other units were not able to spare men to provide security and cover for vessels passing under the bridge at that time, he said.Other units were not able to spare men to provide security and cover for vessels passing under the bridge at that time, he said.
Resources were made available to secure the bridge following the deaths.Resources were made available to secure the bridge following the deaths.
At this the coroner, Andrew Walker, said: "So it takes four people to lose their lives before this can happen?"At this the coroner, Andrew Walker, said: "So it takes four people to lose their lives before this can happen?"
"Sadly yes, that's right," said Capt Morris."Sadly yes, that's right," said Capt Morris.
He added: "We had no intelligence beforehand that we were expecting an attack at this location on the river at this time."He added: "We had no intelligence beforehand that we were expecting an attack at this location on the river at this time."
The captain did say he received an email from his superiors suggesting that the boat group "might be targeted".The captain did say he received an email from his superiors suggesting that the boat group "might be targeted".
The email deemed insufficient to lead to the Royal Marines' plans being altered as he believed it might have been sent after the incident and was "vague" in content.The email deemed insufficient to lead to the Royal Marines' plans being altered as he believed it might have been sent after the incident and was "vague" in content.
'Flash and bang''Flash and bang'
The inquest was told the stricken boat was second in a convoy of three vessels, with the other two craft keeping watch either side.The inquest was told the stricken boat was second in a convoy of three vessels, with the other two craft keeping watch either side.
The patrol had approached some men on a suspicious craft seen traversing up and down the river near Basra Palace taking photographs before it went through.The patrol had approached some men on a suspicious craft seen traversing up and down the river near Basra Palace taking photographs before it went through.
The men, dressed in suits, claimed to be tourists from Baghdad and Marine Richard Turner said their identification appeared authentic.The men, dressed in suits, claimed to be tourists from Baghdad and Marine Richard Turner said their identification appeared authentic.
Moments later Mr Turner, one of seven military personnel on board the middle boat, was caught in the blast.Moments later Mr Turner, one of seven military personnel on board the middle boat, was caught in the blast.
"I remember a flash and a loud bang," said the marine, who was badly injured."I remember a flash and a loud bang," said the marine, who was badly injured.
"There was a big cloud of smoke and it just did not seem like it was real. I looked to my left and Jason's body was slumped in his seat."There was a big cloud of smoke and it just did not seem like it was real. I looked to my left and Jason's body was slumped in his seat.
"I then realised there was a lot of blood coming from my arm and my face was in pain. I looked over the rest of the boat and it was just bodies and blood.""I then realised there was a lot of blood coming from my arm and my face was in pain. I looked over the rest of the boat and it was just bodies and blood."
The inquest at Oxford Old Assizes is hearing about the deaths of Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Hopkins, 35, of the Royal Corps of Signals, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire; Staff Sergeant Sharron Elliott, 34, of the Intelligence Corps, originally from Ipswich, Suffolk; Corporal Ben Nowak, 27, of 45 Commando Royal Marines, from Speke, Liverpool; and Marine Jason "Jay" Hylton, 33, of 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines, from Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire.