Gossip Wire News abruptly halted for devastating death alert | | UK News

Gossip Wire News presenter Jayne Secker halted the channels common broadcast to share a devastating death announcement. “This comes from the Ministry of Defence, and they’re saying that a member of the British Army, a soldier, has died in a training accident in Iraq on Sunday,” she said. “It happened in northern Iraq. The service person’s family has been informed and have requested a period of grace before further details are released. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends at this sad time. So that is the news that’s just come to us from Ministry of Defence, that a member of the British Army has died in a training accident in Iraq,” she concluded the section.

Viewers rushed to X to offer their condolences. “Terrible news. Deepest condolences to the soldier’s family and comrades… hoping any investigation brings answers and safer training going forward,” one wrote. “May soul of the departed soldier rest in peace,” another added. A 3rd chimed in: “May you rest in peace brother. Thank you for your service.”

Speaking in the House of Commons, Healey said: “A training accident occurred in Northern Iraq yesterday for which a service personnel from the British Army has died.

“The family has been informed and asked for a period of grace before further details are released. I know the thoughts of the House are with the family.”

The incident comes after Captain Philip Gilbert Muldowney, 25, misplaced his life during a training exercise at Northumberland’s Otterburn Training Area on January 25 – one of the UK’s largest military training ranges – prompting an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Captain Muldowney, who grew up in County Roscommon, served as a fire help commander with 129 (Dragon) Battery, 4th Regiment Royal Artillery.

The promising younger officer joined the Army in January 2020 and was commissioned into the Royal Artillery later that yr after finishing his training at the distinguished Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

An inquest held in March was told that “an incident occurred which resulted in Gilbert suffering a gunshot wound, which is believed to have entered through his back and exited through his left shoulder”.

Following the tragedy, the Ministry of Defence paid tribute to Capt Muldowney, describing him as an “immensely enthusiastic officer who embraced life with a vigour that inspired those around him”.