§ Patrick MercerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the death of British soldiers in Sierre Leone on 27 January. [34411]
§ Mr. IngramTwo British soldiers, Corporal Michael Phillips and Rifleman James Coman sustained fatal injuries when the Army Land Rover in which they were travelling was involved in a road traffic accident during the late evening of 27 January. Two other soldiers travelling in the vehicle sustained relatively minor injuries. All four soldiers were admitted to the United16W Nations hospital in Freetown but, sadly, Corporal Phillips and Rifleman Coman were pronounced dead on arrival. All the soldiers were from 1st Battalion, Royal Green Jackets. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and I extend our deep condolences to the families of the dead soldiers.
The accident occurred about 10 kilometres east of Waterloo near the Benguema Training Centre. The soldiers were on duty at the time. No other vehicle is believed to have been involved. The accident is being investigated by the Special Investigation Branch of the Royal Military Police. A Board of Inquiry is also to be convened.