British Army soldier shot dead during training exercise

A soldier has died after being shot in the head at a military training area in Northumberland, police have confirmed.

The male soldier, serving in the Royal Regiment of Scotland, was shot on the military ranges in Otterburn during a live-firing exercise at about 11.15pm on Monday (22 August).

Emergency services attended the incident and found the male soldier had received a serious head wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man killed has not yet been identified by the Ministry of Defence.

A police cordon is in place at the training area and the soldier's next-of-kin have been informed.

Armed Forces Minister Mike Penning said: "My thoughts are with the soldier's family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.

"The safety of our personnel is our absolute priority and while deaths in training don't happen often, any death is a tragedy.

"As well as a police investigation, MoD accident investigators are looking into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident."

Otterburn Training Area was set up in 1911 and is the second largest live firing range in the country.