Courage of marines who defied hail of fire to try to save comrade

Published on Wednesday 3 June 2009 22:04

ROYAL Marines risked their lives to carry a fatally wounded colleague across open ground under heavy machine-gun fire after he stood on a mine in Afghanistan, an inquest heard.

Four marines ran to Scottish-based Marine Alec Lucas and gave him emergency first aid before using a poncho to evacuate him across hundreds of yards of wasteland with enemy gunfire all around, stopping at least once to try to save his life.

A coroner yesterday ruled that the 24-year-old serviceman's death, after only a few weeks of his first tour to Afghanistan, was unlawful.

He added that he was "humbled" by what he had heard.

Alerted by the deadly blast, British troops eavesdropping on Taleban communications overheard the enemy commanders saying: "Bring a section down to the front line. Let's engage the infidels."

Major Nigel Somerville, the officer commanding V Company, 45 Commando, described the ensuing barrage of machine-gun and small arms fire as "extremely heavy" and "well co-ordinated."

He added: "An extremely brave team realised the severity of the situation and, under extreme risk to themselves, picked up Al, having made a stretcher, and ran across the open ground.

"They had to stop on open ground, under fire, to continue medical assistance.

"It was extremely brave for them to do that."

Marine Lucas' section, based in Arbroath, had just crossed open ground from one compound to another on 24 November when he went back outside to direct the next section of men along the path.

Corporal Matt Darcy, the leader of Mne Lucas' section, was ahead of him in the compound.

He told the hearing, in Trowbridge, Wiltshire: "We heard the explosion and saw a big plume of smoke.

"We didn't know what it was and gave it a few seconds to make sure it wasn't incoming fire.

"We called out to Al but we didn't hear back."

The servicemen then went to the compound entrance and saw him lying on his back, with "amputations" to his lower leg and an injury to his left arm and his pack lying alongside him.

Marine Steven Husbands, the nearest medic, sprinted across the open ground, before taking over the medical treatment and returning with Mne Lucas under the barrage of fire from four different enemy positions.

At one point they lowered him to the ground and attempted heart massage, despite the huge danger to themselves.

Mne Lucas was evacuated to a helicopter landing site and flown to hospital at Camp Bastion but he was pronounced dead during the flight.

Recording his verdict, Wiltshire coroner David Ridley said that listening to the servicemen's evidence had been a "sobering and humbling" experience, particularly the account of the bravery of the medical evacuation team.

Reaching his conclusion on the incident, Mr Ridley said: "Alec stepped back outside the compound in order to go to a point where he could signal the remaining members of the gun company."

The coroner added: "I am very much persuaded by the evidence and am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the device was left by the enemy forces and was not a legacy mine as such.

"The only conclusion that is appropriate is to record that Alec Lucas was unlawfully killed whilst on active service."

Mne Lucas' father Adrian wiped away tears as the hearing ended.

Mne Lucas – who was born in Southampton – lived in Peebles, in the Borders with his fiance Jill.

The couple had been due to marry in Edinburgh Castle this year.