UPDATED: 23-year-old Soldier dies during military training operation on Salisbury Plain

Emergency services from across Wiltshire were called the scene

Author: Sophie CridlandPublished 16th Oct 2021
Last updated 16th Oct 2021

Wiltshire Police say the soldier who died during a military training exercise on Salisbury Plain was a man aged 23-years-old.

It happened near to the village of Enford.

A joint investigation between the force, the Army and the Health and Safety Executive is now taking place.

In a statement to Greatest Hits Radio Salisbury, Wiltshire Police said:

"We are investigating the circumstances following the death of a 23 year old soldier at midday yesterday (15th October)

"He was part of a crew operating an armoured vehicle and was taking part in a military exercise on Salisbury Plain Training Area near the village of Enford.

"This is now a joint investigation between Wiltshire Police, the Army and the Health and Safety Executive.

"Our thoughts are with the soldier’s family and friends at this difficult time and we would ask that their privacy is respected."

This morning (Saturday 16th October) the Ministry of Defence confirmed the death of the soldier. A comment from them said:

"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."

Huge Emergency services presence

Ambulance, Police and fire services were called to the Salisbury Plain military training area just before midday on Friday 15th October.

The South Western Ambulance Service dispatched multiple resources to the incident and took the casualty to Salisbury hospital following the tragic accident.

SWASFT said “We received a call to an incident in the Salisbury area at 11:46 on Friday 15th October.

"We dispatched multiple resources including two double crewed ambulances, air ambulance and a critical care paramedic before conveying the patient to Salisbury Hospital.”

Crews from the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue service have told Greatest Hits Radio Salisbury that they were called to Enford to assist with the incident.

"We were called to Enford at 11.57am yesterday morning for a road traffic collision, and crews attended from Pewsey and Ludgershall, together with the heavy rescue unit from Trowbridge."

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