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Better UK troop protection urged Better UK troop protection urged
(9 minutes later)
The coroner investigating the deaths of four British soldiers in an Iraq bomb blast has called for better protection for troops. The coroner investigating the deaths of four British soldiers in a roadside bomb blast in Iraq has called for better protection for troops.
The soldiers died when their Warrior vehicle drove over a device near Basra on 5 April last year.The soldiers died when their Warrior vehicle drove over a device near Basra on 5 April last year.
Killed were 2nd Lt Joanna Yorke Dyer, 24, a friend of Prince William, Cpl Kris O'Neill, 27, Pte Eleanor Dlugosz, 19, and Kingsman Adam James Smith, 19.Killed were 2nd Lt Joanna Yorke Dyer, 24, a friend of Prince William, Cpl Kris O'Neill, 27, Pte Eleanor Dlugosz, 19, and Kingsman Adam James Smith, 19.
Last week two coroners criticised the government over troop equipment. The Ministry of Defence said there was "no such thing" as perfect protection.
Coroner David Masters will meet the armed forces minister over the matter.Coroner David Masters will meet the armed forces minister over the matter.
A Warrior vehicle's armour is predominantly on the sides and top but not on the underside, which is where the blast hit, Major David Austin from the Royal Military Police told the inquest.A Warrior vehicle's armour is predominantly on the sides and top but not on the underside, which is where the blast hit, Major David Austin from the Royal Military Police told the inquest.
'Great pressure''Great pressure'
The device was buried in a road and was detonated as the Warrior passed over it, leaving a 3ft deep crater in the ground.The device was buried in a road and was detonated as the Warrior passed over it, leaving a 3ft deep crater in the ground.
Mr Masters told the inquest in Trowbridge that he would meet Armed Forces Minster Bob Ainsworth later this week to recommend the armour issue was dealt with speedily. Mr Masters told the inquest in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, that he would meet Armed Forces Minster Bob Ainsworth later this week to recommend the armour issue was dealt with speedily.
He said measures had been put in place to protect the vehicles in the short term, but work was needed to enhance protection in the long term.He said measures had been put in place to protect the vehicles in the short term, but work was needed to enhance protection in the long term.
Regarding the missing armour, Alan Hepper, an armour expert said: "It's a big issue. We have been told to treat it as an urgent operational requirement. It is being pushed through with great pressure from the Ministry of Defence."Regarding the missing armour, Alan Hepper, an armour expert said: "It's a big issue. We have been told to treat it as an urgent operational requirement. It is being pushed through with great pressure from the Ministry of Defence."
Mr Masters said he would "seek confirmation from the top that something was being done".Mr Masters said he would "seek confirmation from the top that something was being done".
He added: "It is encouraging - if any encouragement can be gained from something like this - that there is a very high-profile programme in place to research and develop new armour for the undersides of vehicles like this operating in Iraq and Afghanistan."He added: "It is encouraging - if any encouragement can be gained from something like this - that there is a very high-profile programme in place to research and develop new armour for the undersides of vehicles like this operating in Iraq and Afghanistan."
The mother of Cpl O'Neill called for the government to invest more money in protecting troops.The mother of Cpl O'Neill called for the government to invest more money in protecting troops.
I remember hearing a bang and that was it. Next thing I remember I was looking up at the moon Cpl Michael CarrI remember hearing a bang and that was it. Next thing I remember I was looking up at the moon Cpl Michael Carr
Valerie O'Neill said: "I raised the question of armour defence so no family has to go through what we've gone through.Valerie O'Neill said: "I raised the question of armour defence so no family has to go through what we've gone through.
"This can't happen again. The bombs are getting more sophisticated and better equipment has to be found.""This can't happen again. The bombs are getting more sophisticated and better equipment has to be found."
The inquest heard the Warrior was fitted with a working ECM (electronic counter-measures) device, designed to jam remote-controlled detonations.The inquest heard the Warrior was fitted with a working ECM (electronic counter-measures) device, designed to jam remote-controlled detonations.
But the bomb which blew up the vehicle was triggered with a command wire, found afterwards buried in the ground, which it could not have prevented.But the bomb which blew up the vehicle was triggered with a command wire, found afterwards buried in the ground, which it could not have prevented.
He said it was likely that the four died instantly from blast wounds. The coroner said it was likely that the four died instantly from blast wounds.
Hidden hazardHidden hazard
Cpl Michael Carr, of the Royal Military Police, who survived the explosion, was riding in the rear of the Warrior next to 2nd Lt Dyer, the inquest heard.Cpl Michael Carr, of the Royal Military Police, who survived the explosion, was riding in the rear of the Warrior next to 2nd Lt Dyer, the inquest heard.
"I remember hearing a bang and that was it. Next thing I remember I was looking up at the moon," he said."I remember hearing a bang and that was it. Next thing I remember I was looking up at the moon," he said.
"I looked around and I could no longer see the female officer.""I looked around and I could no longer see the female officer."
He knew at the time that it was probable no-one else in the rear of the vehicle had survived.He knew at the time that it was probable no-one else in the rear of the vehicle had survived.
The explosion happened in a known hot-spot for insurgents as a convoy made its way back to base following an unsuccessful operation to find a suspected arms cache.The explosion happened in a known hot-spot for insurgents as a convoy made its way back to base following an unsuccessful operation to find a suspected arms cache.
Soldiers dismounted at regular intervals to check the road ahead for hazards, but the bomb was not spotted beneath the road.Soldiers dismounted at regular intervals to check the road ahead for hazards, but the bomb was not spotted beneath the road.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said armour was not the only answer to protecting troops.
"For vehicles, mobility and weaponry are also key components of protection. But training, tactics and procedures are also vital to the security of our forces and are of greater importance than armour alone," he said.
"All of these elements are kept under review by the services and evolve to meet changing needs and threats."
Second Lt Dyer, who was at Sandhurst military academy with Prince William, was from Yeovil in Somerset. Cpl O'Neill from Catterick, Yorkshire, and Pte Eleanor Dlugosz, from Southampton, were both in the Royal Army Medical Corps.Second Lt Dyer, who was at Sandhurst military academy with Prince William, was from Yeovil in Somerset. Cpl O'Neill from Catterick, Yorkshire, and Pte Eleanor Dlugosz, from Southampton, were both in the Royal Army Medical Corps.
Kingsman Adam James Smith, from Liverpool, served in 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, alongside 2nd Lt Dyer.Kingsman Adam James Smith, from Liverpool, served in 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, alongside 2nd Lt Dyer.