Concerns flagged by Ross-shire MP after death at Tain weapons range
A POLICE cordon has been thrown around an Easter Ross firing range which is at the centre of an investigation following the death of a serviceman.
The man died on Tuesday evening at RAF Tain, prompting the launch of a police-led investigation.
Easter Ross MP Paul Monaghan, who expressed sympathy for the family of the man who died, has flagged concerns about the management of the facility and expressed fears that staffing reductions could result in an increased risk of accidents.
Chief Inspector Iain MacLelland told the Ross-shire Journal that police, first made aware of the incident following a call from the Scottish Ambulance Service, would take their time to make a thorough investigation.
He confirmed that one person had been fatally injured and that the family would be offered support at a very difficult time.
Ch Insp MacLelland stressed that the incident had been limited to the scene of the tragedy and that at no time had any member of the outside public been in danger.He said: "This was a contained incident and there was no threat to the public."
A statement issued by the police in the afternoon said: "Police Scotland can confirm that a call was received at 5.55pm on Tuesday, November 1 from the Scottish Ambulance Service reporting an incident at RAF Tain involving members from the armed forces on a training exercise.
"Police along with Scottish Ambulance Service personnel attended where there was found to be one person fatally injured.
"There were no other casualties as a result of the incident and next of kin have been informed by police.
"Both police and the military are providing them with support and our sympathies are with them at this extremely difficult time."
Police Scotland is leading the investigation to establish the full circumstances of the incident and is working closely with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Health and Safety Executive and the Armed forces.
The statement added: "The incident will require a continued police presence over the days ahead and we will be keeping the local community updated."
The Ministry of Defence is expected to make a statement confirming the details of the man who died.
Paul Monaghan, the MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross said: “I understand that in the early evening of November 1 a soldier died at RAF Tain as a result of small arms fire.
"This death has occurred during a live firing exercise believed to have taken place during the hours of darkness. A police investigation is now underway.
“This is clearly a tragedy for the family and the colleagues of the soldier involved.
“Since the year 2000, 135 deaths have taken place involving military personnel on training or on exercise. 11 of these deaths have taken place during live fire exercises.
"Within the last few days I have received communications from the Ministry of Defence which suggests that Tain Air Weapons Range, which is classed as an academic facility, will be used in the future by the RAF, US Airforce and other Nato forces.
“There are 18 targets at RAF Tain that are targeted by bombs and by strafing. It is also now clear that the range is used by other military services for both target shooting and live fire exercises.
“I have some outstanding concerns about the management of RAF Tain and staffing reductions that appear to increase risks and reduce safety levels to the general public. It is unclear if reduced staffing levels or management practices have contributed to this tragic death.
“I will of course be writing today to the Secretary of State for Defence requesting a detailed briefing on the causes of this tragic event and the actions he will be taking to ensure RAF Tain remains safe, secure and free of risk for the general public and appropriate for military personnel.”
