Afghan death blast scene 'was thought to be safe'

Warrant Officer Sean Upton, 35, of 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, died while on foot patrol in the Sangin district of Helmand province in July last year.

At yesterday's inquest at Richmond Town Hall, North Yorkshire Coroner Rob Turnbull heard that W/O Upton, originally from Nottingham, was searching for an improvised explosive device (IED) which had been found between Kajaki Dam and Sangin. His job, as part of the Police Mentoring Team, was to locate its exact position so another team could later dispose of it.

Cpl Mark James Turnbull was one of two soldiers who were at the front of the foot patrol, sweeping the area with a Vallon metal detector.

Cpl Turnbull told the inquest he made his way to a stopping point and found no trace of any IEDs and it was only when W/O Upton was making his way to the back of the patrol that the explosion happened.

Cpl Turnbull said the explosion was followed by fire from a rocket-powered grenade and the team made its way to safety before trying to find W/O Upton, who could not be seen.

Sgt David Wilson told the inquest W/O Upton was thrown clear of the 6ft walls of a nearby compound by the blast.

Sgt Lee Buckland, a search adviser in 26 Engineer Regiment, told the hearing the procedure in searching for the IED was standard but the Vallon might not have picked up readings from the bomb because it did not contain a lot of metal.

Mr Turnbull recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.

n A British soldier killed in an explosion in Afghanistan was "one of the Army's rarest treasures", his comrades said yesterday.

Serjeant Steven Campbell, 30, from 3rd Battalion The Rifles, died while on foot patrol in Sangin, Helmand province.

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, Commanding Officer of 3 Rifles Battle Group, said: "Sjt Steve Campbell was one of the Army's rarest treasures. So positive and energetic, it was truly an honour and a pleasure to know him."