Grief-stricken SAS hero dies, aged 62

Monday 29 August 2011 00:00 BST

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The former SAS soldier who was seen on television leading the raid that ended the 1980 Iranian embassy siege in London has died. John McAleese, 62, was said by his family to have died of a broken heart, two years after his son, Serjeant Paul McAleese, 29, was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.

His daughter, Hayley, said: "He never got over it. I am sure the grief and stress he had suffered had a bearing on what has happened."

His death in Thessaloniki, Greece, on Friday is thought to have been caused by a heart attack.

Mr McAleese was awarded the Military Medal for his role in rescuing 24 hostages.

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Grief-stricken SAS hero dies, aged 62

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