British Airman dies in Cyprus base accident - UKPA

A British airman who died during a stopover in Cyprus as he headed home from a tour of duty in Afghanistan is set to be named.

The airman from 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment died on Sunday from injuries sustained in an accident which happened on Friday in the Cyprus Sovereign Base Area, the Ministry of Defence said.

No further details were released by the MoD. The soldier's family has been informed.

Wing Commander James Hill, a spokesman for the British military in Afghanistan, said: "It is with great sorrow that I must report the death of an airman from 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment on Sunday morning.

"The airman was in Cyprus en route back from operational service in Afghanistan when he was involved in a fatal accident on November 5, 2010.

"Despite the best efforts of the medical services at the scene, and afterwards, the airman did not recover from injuries sustained in the accident.

"It is particularly tragic that he died while returning home from a tour of duty that was dedicated to protecting his comrades and Afghan civilians while part of the Force Protection Wing at Camp Bastion.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. He will be sorely missed."