A member of the armed forces has died during a training exercise at the RAF Tain firing range in the Scottish Highlands. Emergency services were called to the site at approximately 5:55pm on Tuesday after reports of an incident involving multiple service members. Police Scotland confirmed one person was fatally injured, with no other casualties, and a cordon has been established around the base.
The soldier, whose name has not been released, is believed to have been killed on the army's live firing rifle and target range, according to Councillor Alasdair Rhind, deputy leader of Highland Council. Unconfirmed reports suggest the deceased was a member of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and their family has been informed. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon expressed her condolences, stating the incident is 'another important reminder of the often difficult and dangerous job our armed forces do every day.'
RAF Tain, located on the Dornoch Firth about 30 miles north of Inverness, is used by UK, NATO and US forces for small-arms, rifle and aerial bombing training. Rhind noted that the range has an excellent safety record, with no prior fatal incidents he could recall. The Ministry of Defence said it would release further information as it becomes available, while Police Scotland is leading the investigation in close cooperation with the armed forces, emphasising there was no threat to the public.
The death comes just over two months after a soldier was fatally shot during a live-firing exercise at Otterburn training area in Northumberland, and follows another training death in July in Brecon, south Wales. Both earlier incidents remain under investigation by police.
