The accident, involving a British military vehicle undergoing routine maintenance, occurred at a UK military base in Northern Helmand province at approximately 1445 UK time. The incident did not involve any insurgent activity.

The circumstances of the accident will be the subject of an investigation and no further details will be released until that investigation is complete.

Lance Corporal Sean Tansey of The Life Guards

Lance Corporal Sean Tansey, from Newcastle, enlisted into The Life Guards in May 1999. After training at Pirbright and Bovington, he joined the Household Cavalry Regiment in Windsor. He spent most of his time within the Reconnaissance Sabre Troops, serving initially as an Armoured Reconnaissance vehicle driver in HQ Squadron, then joining D Squadron as a gunner and operator.

In 2003 he deployed with D Squadron to Iraq, where the Squadron and his troop were in numerous contacts with Iraqi forces, ahead of 16 Air Assault Brigade. Throughout his time in Iraq and subsequently in Afghanistan, LCpl Tansey was often in the thick of the action, and on both operations he proved himself a highly competent and utterly dependable operator.

LCpl Tansey, 26, was a bright and intelligent Junior Non-Commissioned Officer. Always smart, always hard working, he was an outstanding gunner and Driving and Maintenance Instructor, who recently qualified as a Regimental Combat Medical Technician (Class 2). He was the Troop Leader’s operator and a huge asset to the Squadron. Quiet, thoughtful and a very experienced reconnaissance soldier, he was not only respected professionally but was also a charming individual, hugely popular among his peers. He died on 12 Aug 2006 whilst repairing a damaged Scimitar near Sangin, in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. A board of inquiry will be held to determine the circumstances of the incident.

Lt Col Edward Smyth-Osbourne, Commanding Officer of the Household Cavalry Regiment, said:

"LCpl Tansey was a bright and intelligent soldier, an extremely competent and utterly dependable operator. Always smart, always hard working, he was a very experienced reconnaissance soldier, who was not only respected professionally but was also a charming individual, hugely popular among his peers.

"With his death the Household Cavalry has suffered the loss of another exceptionally talented member of the Regiment. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends."

LCpl Tansey was single with no children. His family have been informed and have asked that the media respect their privacy at this difficult time.