Nimrod crash

The tragic deaths of 14 British Service personnel is being reported as an accident following a serious technical malfunction aboard the aircraft leading to a fire. It is understood that a Board of Inquiry is to be immediately convened in order to investigate the circumstances of the crash.

The accident follows the recent announcement by the Defence Secretary, Des Browne, to review the protection offered by equipment issued to Service personnel deployed on operations, particularly the Snatch Land Rover.

Irwin Mitchell's specialist Armed Forces Team has successfully acted on behalf of military personnel and their families involved in military accidents where the failure of aviation equipment has led to serious injury or death. This crash once again highlights the MoD's potential liability in respect of such accidents and the need to provide British Forces deployed to operational theatres, such as Afghanistan, with equipment that is safe, properly maintained and offers adequate protection.