British soldier helping with D-Day commemorations drowns in France

Lance Corporal Darren Jones, 30, died after getting into difficulties in canal, British Army announces

The incident is believed to have happened near the Pegasus Bridge in Benouville, northwestern France. (AFP/Getty Images)

A British soldier assisting with D-Day commemorations has drowned in France.

It is understood Lance Corporal Darren Jones, of the Royal Engineers, got into difficulty while swimming in a canal near Pegasus Bridge in Normandy at the weekend.

The 30-year-old was in the country as part of the team assisting in 75th anniversary commemorations for D-Day.

An Army spokeswoman said: “It is with sadness that we must confirm the death of a service person in France.

“Our thoughts are with their family at this difficult time.”

The incident is thought to have happened late on Saturday night or early on Sunday morning during down-time.

A post-mortem examination is yet to be carried out.

French police are understood to be investigating and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

A series of events in Normandy will be held in the coming days to mark the anniversary of the Second World War landings on 6 June 1944, described as “undoubtedly the most complicated and difficult” ever by then-British prime minister Winston Churchill.

Figures including British royalty, US president Donald Trump and prime minister Theresa May will travel to France for the commemorations.

Pegasus Bridge was liberated from the Nazis by Allied troops, and is named after the winged horse insignia of the British 6th Airborne Division.

Press Association contributed to this report.