Soldier dies and three others in hospital after ‘tragic accident’ at Castlemartin Ranges

One of the soldiers injured at a firing range in Pembrokeshire has died.

He was one of four soldiers hurt on Wednesday afternoon in an area used for tank training exercises by the Royal Armoured Corps.

Defence minister Tobias Ellwood said: "It is with deep sadness that I can confirm the death of a soldier from the Royal Tank Regiment who died as a result of injuries sustained in an incident at Castlemartin Ranges.

"His next of kin were by his bedside and we will be respecting their privacy before further details are released.

"Three other soldiers have also been wounded and our thoughts remain with the friends and families of all those involved.

"The safety of our personnel is our absolute priority and a full investigation is under way to understand the details of this tragic accident."

A spokeswoman from Dyfed-Powys Police said the three injured men were in a "serious condition".

"Tragically, we can confirm the incident has resulted in the death of one of the men this morning, and the other three are in a serious condition in hospital," she said.

"All next of kin of those injured have been informed, and are being supported."

The Royal Tank Regiment said its investigations were ongoing.

It said: "Our thoughts are with the friends and families of all those involved."

Castlemartin is the only British Army range on which armoured units carry out direct-fire live gunnery exercises.

Five years ago a Michael "Mike" Maguire, 21, died at Castlemartin when he was shot in the head while relaxing at a safe location just outside the training range.

An inquest found Ranger Maguire, of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment, had been unlawfully killed.

(c) Sky News 2017: Soldier dies and three others in hospital after ‘tragic accident’ at Castlemartin Ranges