Soldier, 23, who died during Salisbury army exercise is named

17 October 2021, 14:20 | Updated: 17 October 2021, 14:45

A soldier who died during a military exercise on Salisbury Plain has been named as Private Jethro Watson-Pickering.

The 23-year-old, who was in the 1st Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, was part of a crew operating an armoured vehicle at a training area near Enford in Wiltshire.

The incident took place around midday on Friday.

The Yorkshire Regiment said he was from Boosbeck in North Yorkshire.

"The thoughts and prayers of the regimental family are with his family," it wrote in a tweet.

Wiltshire Police has started an investigation with the Army and Health and Safety Executive.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with the soldier's family and friends at this difficult time, and we would ask that their privacy is respected."

An Army spokesman added: "It is with sadness that we can confirm the death of a soldier on Salisbury Plain Training Area.

"Wiltshire Police are investigating and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further."

Salisbury Plain Training Area is used to practice conduct live fire, with both armoured vehicles and artillery making use of the zone.

It is also home to Copehill Down, a facility that lets troops practice fighting in built-up areas.