Soldiers' deaths still 'unclear'

An Army medic killed while on patrol in Afghanistan was described yesterday by her grieving sister as a brave, beautiful, and determined woman.

Corporal Channing Day, 25, died on Wednesday in what Afghan police claimed was a friendly fire incident between two British patrols.

But the Government has now denied this claim and Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said yesterday that the circumstances surrounding the tragedy remained unclear.

Cpl Day, who served with the 3 Medical Regiment, died alongside Corporal David O'Connor, of 40 Commando, while on patrol in Helmand province.

In a personal tribute her sister Lauren Day said: "Channing, being the amazing down to earth person she was, didn't realise how beautiful she was – inside and out."

Mr Hammond said it was not clear how the incident happened and that investigations would continue until the truth was known.