Liverpool Marine was left exposed to attack, inquest told

Nov 19 2007

ben nowak

A LIVERPOOL serviceman was among four killed when a makeshift explosive mounted on a bridge the Army had not secured blew up their boat, an inquest heard today.

Royal Marine Ben Nowak, 27, from Speke, died on the Shatt al-Arab River on November 12 last year when a makeshift explosive mounted on a bridge was detonated as they passed underneath.

Captain Richard Morris, in charge of 539 Assault Squadron’s boat group, today an Oxford inquest that this incident was the first since the March 2003 invasion in which Coalition troops had been killed on a boat operating on Basra’s waterways.

His unit was tasked with transporting military staff between Basra Palace and the Shatt Al Arab Hotel, two British bases.

“Boats were the favoured way of moving along the waterway because at the time boats had never been targeted,” said Capt Morris.

“It was perceived to be the safest means of travel.”

Other units were not able to spare men to secure the bridge for vessels passing underneath, however, following the deaths, resources were made available.

“So it takes four people to lose their lives before this can happen?” inquired the coroner.

“Sadly yes, that’s right,” said Capt Morris.

Richard Turner, of 539 Assault Squadron, Royal Marines, who was on board but survived, told the inquest: “I remember a flash and a loud bang. There was a big cloud of smoke and it just did not seem like it was real. I looked over the rest of the boat and it was just bodies and blood.”

Other than Cpl Nowak, who worked with Everton's youth team when on leave, the others killed were: Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Hopkins, 35, of the Royal Corps of Signals, a married father of one from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire; Staff Sergeant Sharron Elliott, 34, of the Intelligence Corps, originally from Ipswich, Suffolk and Marine Jason “Jay” Hylton, 33, of 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines, a divorced father of two from Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire.

Mr Turner, recalling the horror, added: “I looked to my left and Jason (Hylton)’s body was slumped in his seat. I then realised there was a lot of blood coming from my arm and my face was in pain.”

The cause of the deaths was projectile wounds caused by an explosion, coroner Andrew Walker said.

Three other UK service personnel, including Mr Turner, were injured.

The stricken rigid raiding craft was carrying seven people north towards the Shatt Al Arab Hotel, a British base, when it was hit. It was in a convoy of three vessels, going second so the other two craft could keep watch either side.

The public was excluded from the hearing this afternoon while evidence deemed to be sensitive by the MoD was heard.

The inquest was adjourned until tomorrow.