Rookie Marine shot dead in training accident

A Royal Marine recruit was shot dead today in what a senior officer described as a "tragic accident" during a training exercise.

A police investigation has begun into the shooting which happened on Woodbury Common, near Exeter, Devon.

The recruit, who has not been named, was from the RM Commando Training Centre at Lympstone, just a few miles from the Common, an area regularly used for training.

He was in week nine of the 30-week training cycle, at the end of which successful recruits are awarded the coveted green beret.

The incident happened at around 5.35am. The scene has been sealed off and is being inspected by scenes of crime officers and Royal Marine personnel.

Chief Supt Liam McGrath said at the scene a "detailed" police inquiry was under way.

All the other Royal Marine recruits involved in the training exercise were taken back to the riverside Lympstone camp.

"All individuals involved are engaged in our inquiries," he said.

Mr McGrath said he was not able to give details of how the shooting happened as it was the subject of inquiry.

He said live ammunition was carried by Royal Marines against the terrorist threat.

"Clearly any further detail as to why live ammunition was involved in this incident is subject of our inquiry," he said.

He agreed it was unusual to have live ammunition discharged on Woodbury, but added: "Clearly that is a matter for further investigation.

The officer was unable to say whether the weapon involved was a rifle or a handgun.

"All I can say is it was a weapon which is normally in use during a training exercise up here on Woodbury by the Royal Marines."

He was unable to say whether the fatal round was fired by the victim or by someone else.

Second in command of training at the CTC, Lt Col Adam Mallalieu, said at the scene: "This is a very tragic accident.

"We have a duty of care to the people left behind at Lympstone. We will counsel them, look after their welfare, then we will get on with training."