Personal injury news

British soldier killed in Afghanistan car accident

A British soldier has died in a car accident in southern Afghanistan, military authorities have revealed.

The infantryman, who has not yet been named, died from serious personal injuries after the incident in the provincial capital of Laskar Gah. The car accident is not thought to have been caused by enemy activity, but is being investigated by military police.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman told reporters, "We regret to confirm that this morning we received notice of a road traffic accident in southern Afghanistan resulting in the fatality of one UK soldier and minor injury to one other UK soldier."

The city of Laskar Gah has recently seen an increased number of British troops as military leaders boost deployment in Afghanistan. Defence Secretary John Reid has indicated that the soldiers have been drafted in to help with civilian aid and economic development, as well as support President Hamid Karzai's attempts to reconstruct the war torn country.

The MOD has refused to name the car accident victim until his next of kin have been informed of his death.