Metal detector failed to reveal roadside bomb

A YORKSHIRE soldier was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan that was not revealed by a metal detector, a coroner said.

Bombardier Craig Hopson of Castleford died when the Jackal armoured vehicle he was travelling in was hit by the undetected improvised explosive device as he helped to make preparations for elections in July last year.

The 24-year-old, of the 40th Regiment Royal Artillery, had been helping to secure a compound to be considered for use as a polling station when his patrol was struck by the explosion in the Babaji area of Helmand Province on July 25.

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The inquest heard that Bombardier Hopson suffered "unsurvivable" head, leg and chest injuries as a result of the blast and would have been unconscious from the moment of the explosion.

Recording a verdict that Bombardier Hopson was unlawfully killed while serving his country as a member of the armed forces, Coroner David Hinchliff told Wakefield Coroner's Court: "It is my view you do not bury explosive devices of that nature for any other reason than to cause death or serious injury or maim the individuals who have the misfortune to encounter it.

"Therefore, there can be no other explanation or outcome than to say Craig was unlawfully killed by blast injuries sustained when working in that compound for the armed forces."

The inquest heard that Bombardier Hopson, who was known as Hoppo to his colleagues, was taking part in Operation Panther's Claw ahead of the elections in August last year.

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On July 25, he and his colleagues were carrying out a reconnaissance mission at the compound, which involved clearing the area of any improvised explosive devices.

The task force had swept the perimeter of the compound using metal detectors and had clearly marked the sites of any possible bombs when the Jackal vehicle from which Bombardier Hopson was providing cover was hit by a device.

Mr Hinchliff said: "While moving into position, the vehicle in which Craig was travelling must have run over a buried and concealed explosive device, causing the Jackal to be blown on to its right side, facing the opposite direction and trapping the driver in position and it really looks like Craig took the impact of that blast and he suffered very serious injuries."

The inquest heard that soldiers present at the time disagreed as to whether the area of the explosion had been cleared and swept by the task force.

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Mr Hinchliff described the difference of opinion as a "perhaps controversial issue" but said he had heard evidence suggesting the site had been cleared but that the device had not been detected by metal detectors as it contained "no metal or little metal".

Mr Hinchliff praised the "valiant" efforts of Bombardier Hopson's colleagues in their medical treatment of the soldier before he was taken to hospital at Camp Bastion.

The inquest was held as relatives of the 300th British serviceman killed in Afghanistan predicted many more families would experience similar tragedy as th e conflict claimed another two lives.

Just hours after they paid tribute to the courage shown by Marine Richard Hollington, the death toll had risen to 302.

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The three servicemen, all of 40 Commando Royal Marines, were fatally injured in the southern province of Helmand.

Marine Hollington was injured in a blast in the Sangin district but died from his wounds eight days later in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

His family, who were by his side when he died, said: "What can we say that hasn't been said so many times before and will be repeated so many times to come?

"Richard will leave a huge numbing hole in the lives of his family, friends and Royal Marine colleagues."

Defence Secretary Liam Fox said Marine Hollington's sacrifice would "not be forgotten".

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