RN Officer Shot dead on HMS Astute.

Steyr

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Video-Nuclear-Sub-Shooting-One-Sailor-Killed-Another-Seriously-Hurt-On-HMS-Astute-In-Southampton/Article/201104215968855?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_0


Breaking News10:45pm UK,
Friday April 08, 2011

Council Leader Tackles Nuclear Sub Gunman


Graham Fitzgerald, Sky News Online

A council leader has described how he tackled a gunman who shot dead a Royal Navy officer and seriously injured another aboard a nuclear submarine.

It happened as Royston Smith and five other dignitaries including Southampton's mayor and the council's chief executive were being shown around the vessel, HMS Astute.

Mr Smith, 46, a former RAF engineer, said he wrestled the gunman to the ground and disarmed him. None of the party was hurt.

He said the man burst into the control room brandishing an SA80 assault rifle, then disappeared out of view and fired two shots.

Seconds later he reappeared and fired two more shots. One just missed Mr Smith who said it was then he decided to take action.

Mr Smith said the gunman, later identified as an Able Seaman, was wearing body armour and camouflage gear

He said afterwards: "I don't feel like a hero, I wish it hadn't happened. It's awful for the boys on the submarine. They will never forget the events of today."

I am greatly saddened to hear of this incident and of the death of a Royal Navy service person in this tragic incident.

Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox

Hampshire Police said a Royal Navy serviceman had been arrested in connection with the shooting and was being held in custody.

They emphasised the incident was not terror-related and there was no risk to the public.The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has promised a full investigation.

Chief Superintendent David Thomas said the injured sailor was taken to Southampton General Hospital where his condition was "stable".

In a statement he said: "Hampshire Constabulary officers were called at 12.12pm today, following reports of an incident on board the nuclear submarine HMS Astute.

"On board the submarine a firearm had been discharged, which resulted in two crew members being injured. One of these injuries proved fatal.

"The other crew member was taken to hospital in Southampton with significant injuries. His condition is now described as stable.

"A Home Office pathologist will conduct a post-mortem examination on the person who died."

Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: "I am greatly saddened to hear of this incident and of the death of a Royal Navy service person in this tragic incident.

HMS Astute, the Navy's newest and most advanced submarine, was berthed at Southampton's Eastern Docks on a five-day goodwill visit to the city.

It had arrived on Wednesday after six and a half weeks at sea.

Hampshire police were informed of the shooting by the MoD shortly after midday.

Armed police, firefighters, paramedics and an air ambulance helicopter were sent to the dockside where the submarine was tied up.

Council leader Mr Smith, who is married with a 19-year-old daughter, said he was about five yards from the gunman when he returned to the control room and opened fire again.

"I then took the decision that if that bullet hadn't hit me, one was about to and, if not me, anyone and everyone else," he said.

"I charged at him, pushed him against the wall and, at the same time got hold of his weapon. At that point I think he fired shot number five.

"We had a tussle and I think I was shouting quite a lot. My instinct was to make myself scary.

"I spun him 180 degrees and charged him against the other wall which I think we hit quite hard. I think it was around this time that shot number six went off.

"I managed to get him down to the ground and pull the rifle away from him."

Mr Smith then called on the city council's chief executive Alistair Neill to help him.

He added: "I shouted for Alistair to get on top of the gunman because he was thrashing around - he wasn't going to take it lying down.

"Alistair did as I said. I was worried that the gunman had come on board and I wasn't sure he was alone - I thought there may have been others."

Mr Smith suffered bruises to his legs and back and a cut to his head but said he did not need medical attention.

HMS Astute previously made headlines when it ran aground on a shingle bank between the Scottish mainland and the Isle of Skye and remained marooned for several hours.

The incident in October last year cost Commander Andy Coles his captaincy of the ship, which is almost 328ft (100m) long and weighs 7,800-tonnes.

HMS Astute was named and launched by the Duchess of Cornwall in June 2007 before being welcomed into the Royal Navy in August last year.

Its Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles are capable of delivering pinpoint strikes from 1,240 miles (2,000km) with conventional weapons.

The submarine's nuclear reactor means it does not need refuelling and it makes its own air and water, enabling it to circumnavigate the globe without needing to surface.

:: The MoD says anyone worried about loved ones on HMS Astute should contact the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre incident line on 08457 800 900.

Sod'o swords

Definately going to keep on eye on this story, that's a very interesting and worrying read!

goldie fish

The dead and injured were both Lt Cdrs, the shooter was an able seaman.

RMD

Certainly going to be interesting to see the shooter's motive.

baalthor

Steyr wrote: »

Its Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles are capable of delivering pinpoint strikes from 1,240 miles (2,000km) with conventional weapons.

The torpedoes can only travel 30 miles; not sure how a torpedo would manage to travel over 1000 miles

LondonIrish90

baalthor wrote: »

The torpedoes can only travel 30 miles; not sure how a torpedo would manage to travel over 1000 miles

I think it means the Tomahawk cruise missiles. Quite badly worded I agree.

RMD

Never expect accurate information on the weapons / military from most news sources, considering it's putting the Spearfish and the Tomahawk in the same distance category, a torpedo and a cruise missile. If I'm not mistaken the Tomahawk's max range 1,350 nautical miles which is 2500km?