Soldier's death due to shortages

A British soldier who died in Afghanistan could have lived if a properly-equipped helicopter had been available, it has emerged.

A military inquiry into the death of Cpl Mark Wright blamed his death on incompetence and equipment shortages.
The 27-year-old died after being seriously injured by a landmine.

The inquiry report said that an RAF Chinook had been sent to help several soldiers, including the corporal, but was little use because it did not have a rescue winch. Instead they were forced to wait five hours until a US helicopter fitted with a winch arrived. The young Corporal died before he reached a military hospital.

The corporal, who helped an injured colleague despite serious landmine injuries, was posthumously awarded the George Cross for his bravery in Helmand province.

The Major General, who presided over the inquiry, said his wounds may not have proved fatal had a British helicopter been equipped to get soldiers out of a minefield.

The MoD claimed that, because of a fault with another system at the time, all of the winches had been returned to the UK for inspection.

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