§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the result was of the investigation into the cause of the fatal accident to a Challenger II tank on Salisbury Plain on 11 July; [5859]
(2) how many fatal accidents have occurred on Salisbury Plain training estate since 1 January 2000; what vehicles were involved; and what the cause of death was, and which emergency service was first on the scene, in each case. [5858]
§ Mr. IngramThere have been two fatal accidents on Salisbury Plain training area since 1 January 2000. Private Christopher France died in an accident on 6 April 2000 after being struck by a Pinzgauer vehicle, and Lieutenant Paul Syred and Corporal Michael Paterson were killed in July this year when the Challenger 2 tank in which they were travelling overturned. The police and ambulance services arrived promptly at the scenes of both incidents.
The Ministry of Defence continues to investigate both accidents and I am therefore unable to provide further details at this stage.