Soldier shot dead during training exercise in Northumberland

MoD investigation launched into death of soldier during live firing exercise

British soldier with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, 2007 (Google)

A soldier has been shot dead during a night time training exercise in Northumberland, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The soldier was taking part in a live firing exercise on Monday night when the accident happened at around 11.15pm at a military range in Otterburn.

Emergency services arrived at the scene where the male soldier had sustained a “serious head wound”, Northumbria police said.

The soldier was a member of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The man has not yet been identified, but his next-of-kin have been informed, police said.

An investigation into the death has been launched.

In a statement Armed Forces Minister Mike Penning said: “It is with great sadness that I can confirm that a soldier from the Royal Regiment of Scotland has died while taking part in a night live firing exercise at Otterburn Training Area in Northumberland. My thoughts are with the soldiers family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.”

He added: “The safety of our personnel is our absolute priority and while deaths in training don’t happen often, any death is a tragedy. As well as a police investigation, MOD accident investigators are looking into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.”