A CORONER said he will make recommendations to the Government at the conclusion of an inquest for three British soldiers - including one from Ipswich - who were killed by a bomb dropped by a US aircraft.
Privates Aaron McClure, 19, Robert Foster, 19, and John Thrumble, 21, were under intense fire in Afghanistan’s Helmand province when a US F15 aircraft, called to help, dropped the bomb on them instead of a Taliban position half a mile (1km) further north.
The inquest previously heard that grid co-ordinates communicated between an air controller and an American weapons officer “did not marry up” before the devastating bomb was dropped on the men.
Pte McClure, from Ipswich, Pte Foster, from Harlow, Essex, and Pte Thrumble, from Maldon, Essex, of B-Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, died in the blast on August 23, 2007.
Wiltshire Coroner David Masters recorded a narrative verdict.
Mr Masters said he would make six recommendations to the Ministry of Defence to help prevent such incidents occurring again.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here