Helicopter crash serviceman named

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Clr Sgt Powell, from the Parachute Regiment, and a member of RAF aircrew, died when their Puma transport helicopter collided with another and both aircraft came down north of Baghdad on Sunday.

The second serviceman killed in the crash has not been named as some family members are yet to be contacted, the Ministry of Defence said. Four other servicemen in the same aircraft were injured, one of them very seriously, but everyone aboard the second Puma helicopter escaped with minor cuts and bruises.

Initial reports suggested the incident was the result of an accident rather than an insurgent attack.

Clr Sgt Powell is believed to have been a member of the special forces who carry out missions outside the UK forces' normal area of operation - southern Iraq. The soldier was a 37-year-old father from south Wales, believed to be from Rest Bay near Porthcawl, who joined the Parachute Regiment in December 1990.

The Colour Sergeant was also a keen surfer who was in the Welsh surf team when he was younger, reported BBC Good Evening Wales.

A tribute was paid to the Mr Powell by his commanding officer who said: "Colour Sergeant Mark Powell was an exemplary combat leader, soldier, father, husband, friend and Briton; dedicated to his family, his men, his mission and his country. In the finest traditions of the Army and his regiment - he was utterly selfless; never shirking danger, effort or hard service in the pursuit of his mission."

Defence Secretary Des Browne said the Pumas were involved in a "routine operational flight", but it is understood Clr Sgt Powell was not the only personnel on board who belonged to special forces units.

An MoD spokesman said: "I can't talk about the particular mission they were involved in, but we do have units operating as part of the coalition across Iraq."

He added the crash was still being treated as an accident and a full investigation would be carried out. Two of those injured have already been discharged back to their units and two others are being treated in a US service hospital.