16/02/2007

‘Friendly fire’ video will not be shown

A video that captures the death of a British soldier in a “friendly fire” incident will not be shown in open court.

Coroner Andrew Walker has agreed that a transcript from the tape will be released, but the video will not be shown to the public, following a US request.

Lance Corporal Matty Hull, 25, from Berkshire, was killed when US Air Force Colonel Gus Kohntopp opened fire on the army tank near Basra in March 2003, mistaking it for a Russian-made Zil.

L/Cpl Hull, a member of the Household Cavalry Regiment, died from multiple injuries inside the Scimitar tank, despite efforts to save him.

Stills of the video were leaked to The Sun newspaper, which revealed Col Kohntopp was given incorrect information about the British convoy, leading to the attack.

He has since apologised for his involvement.

(JM)

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