BFBS NEWS 2009 -Inquest into US Friendly Fire incident That killed 3 Members Of 1 R/Anglian Begins

AN INQUEST opened today into the deaths of three soldiers killed in a friendly fire incident in Afghanistan. Privates Aaron McClure, 19, Robert Foster, 19, and John Thrumble, 21 were fighting the Taliban in Helmand when a US F15 aircraft, called to help, dropped a 500lb bomb on them. Pte McClure, from Ipswich, Suffolk, Pte Foster, from Harlow, Essex, and Pte Thrumble, from Maldon, Essex died in the blast on August 23 2007. During the battle air support was requested from two US F15s to engage the enemy positions northwest of the Kajaki Dam. It was then that the bomb struck the compound where the three soldiers, of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, and their section were located. An emergency helicopter was scrambled to assist, however, the three were pronounced dead at the scene. Two other soldiers were also injured in the incident which occurred at approximately 6.30pm local time. The events surrounding the incident were subject to an investigation. Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart Carver, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, said of Pte McClure: "It is tragic that where the Taliban had failed, it was an accident that has taken him from us. "Loyal, hard working and highly professional, he constantly surpassed the standards expected, and his loss is a bitter blow to the whole Battalion." The inquest at Trowbridge Town Hall is due to last up to seven days but may be adjourned at some stage. Corporal Stuart Parker and Private Joshua Lee, who survived the incident, were at the inquest. Cpl Parker suffered internal injuries and lost the hearing in his left ear, broke his leg and hand and had burns and shrapnel wounds, while Pte Lee sustained eye injuries and burns. Outside the inquest, solicitor Hilary Meredith said: "The families are here today to support the boys as are Corporal Stuart Parker and Private Joshua Lee. "The most important reason for them being here is to find out why, in the days of modern warfare, mistakes like this can happen. "Also, to find out if they can be prevented in the future." Meanwhile, the body of the 100th British serviceman to die in the Afghanistan conflict this year was returned to the UK today. The C17 Globemaster plane carrying Lance Corporal Adam Drane, 23, touched down at RAF Lyneham, Wiltshire, this morning. After a private ceremony for his family, a hearse carrying his Union flag-draped coffin was passing along the high street of nearby Wootton Bassett. Relatives and members of the public gathered to pay a silent tribute to him in the market town which has become a focus for the nation's mourning. L/Cpl Drane, from 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, was shot by insurgents while guarding a checkpoint in Nad-e-Ali, Helmand province, on December 7. He had been in Afghanistan for about two months as commander of a four-man fire team attached to the Grenadier Guards Battle Group. His parents, Desmond and Jackie Drane, said they had "tremendous pride" in their son's achievements but that no words could describe their loss. Please Show your support for the vikings by buying a "Support Vikings in Afghanistan" Charity Wrist Band http://www.royalanglianassociation.co...