Praise for “heroic efforts” to save soldier’s life

Trooper Ashley Smith, 21, from York, died on June 18 2010 after he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) as he helped to remove trees from an area near a checkpoint in Helmand Province.

His sister, Sadie Gelderd, also praised the “high standards” of the medical team and said her heart went out to the other soldiers who were there at the time.

An inquest, at York Coroner’s Court, sitting at New Earswick’s Folk Hall, heard that Trooper Smith, of the Royal Dragoon Guards, was with a team sent to help remove felled trees from an area near to a checkpoint.

Trooper Smith and his colleagues used Vallon metal detectors to ensure the area was safe before they placed specialist equipment, known as fascines, into a ditch to enable their vehicles to cross.

The explosion happened as the soldier and a colleague carried one of the fascines towards the ditch.

Coroner Donald Coverdale said: “Unfortunately, he was the lead man carrying this fascine and an improvised explosive device was triggered, presumably by his treading on hidden pressure plates.

“He sustained devastating injuries from which he died.”

The coroner added: “He will have known no pain from this incident, he would have been unconscious immediately.

“These injuries were such that it would not have been possible to survive, not standing the heroic efforts that were made.”

The inquest heard that Trooper Andrew Clibery was the first soldier to reach Trooper Smith following the explosion.

In a statement read to the court, he told how he applied tourniquets to Trooper Smith’s leg and arm and checked for a pulse and breathing.

Another medic and a doctor assisted at the scene, carrying out resuscitation and other treatments on the soldier, before he was taken to hospital at Camp Bastion by helicopter.

The inquest heard that resuscitation attempts continued throughout the journey and at the hospital, where the soldier was pronounced dead.

Mr Coverdale said the medical team did their best to try to save Trooper Smith, who had injuries to his torso, legs and arm.

He said: “It is encouraging to know there’s the quality of care available to the men and women in Afghanistan.”

Recording a special verdict, Mr Coverdale said: “The verdict I am going to return reflects the nature of Ashley Smith’s actions and the service he was giving to his country overseas.

“It was a tragic death.

“Ashley David Smith died from injuries inflicted by an exploding improvised explosive device while on active service in Afghanistan.”

Mr Coverdale thanked all the soldiers who had given evidence at the inquest today.

“Those who’ve had to relive the awful events of that day when their friend and colleague Ashley Smith lost his life. It was difficult enough to have to tolerate that on that day,” he said.

Speaking after the inquest, Ms Gelderd said: “Today we have listened to Ashley’s final hours, the cause of death, the soldiers that were there and the medical team that assisted Ashley.

“The medical team were of high standards at all times.

“Now we can have some closure and our hearts go out to the soldiers who were there at the time of Ashley’s death as they did what they could for Ashley.”