Killed soldier was due to become an officer

A British soldier who died in Cyprus when he was crushed by a four-ton truck was on his final training exercise to become an officer, the British Ministry of Defence said today.

Private James Parkinson, 26, a driver with the 44 Squadron Royal Logistic Corps in Camberley, Surrey, was taking part in an annual two-week stint on the Mediterranean island organised by the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

He was killed on Saturday when he was crushed between two trucks in what the MoD described as a “tragic accident”.

Pte Parkinson was driving one of six four-ton trucks travelling in convoy near the village of Sotira, close to Episkopi.

“The convoy stopped on a track and Private Parkinson walked to the rear of his vehicle to lower the tailgate when he was crushed between his vehicle and the one behind,” an MoD spokesman said.

“He was pronounced dead at the scene at 10pm local time.”

Military police are conducting an investigation into the incident and it is not yet known which of the vehicles moved causing Pte Parkinson to become trapped.

Completion of the Winter Victory exercise, which is the final training leg for officer cadets, would have led to Pte Parkinson’s promotion next month.