Two Cheshire soldiers die

Two British soldiers serving in Afghanistan have died in separate incidents.

The first, serving with Gurkha Reinforcement Company 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment based in Cheshire died in hospital in the UK yesterday.

The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) was injured in a helicopter incident whilst in a patrol base in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province on the 10 Aug 2010.

He was treated at the scene and at Camp Bastion, before being flown to the UKfor further treatment. He died on Thursday 12th August 2010, with his family in attendance at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

Another serviceman, from 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire), was injured in an explosion in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province on July 13.

He was given medical aid at the scene before being flown to the UK for further treatment.

But the soldier failed to recover from his wounds, and died in Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham yesterday evening surrounded by his family. His next of kin have been told.