THE grieving family of a York soldier have thanked the heroic comrades who battled to save him, and say his inquest has finally brought “closure”.

Ashley David Smith, 21, of Acomb, became York’s second victim of the Afghanistan conflict on June 18, 2010, after he stepped on an improvised explosive device as he helped to remove trees from an area near a checkpoint in Helmand Province, while serving with the Royal Dragoon Guards.

York coroner Donald Coverdale said Trooper Smith would not have felt any pain after the blast.

Trooper Smith’s family were told during the inquest yesterday that the armed forces had “spared no cost” in updating metal detectors to locate improvised explosive devices, such as that which killed Trooper Smith, and that revolutionary new equipment was now being introduced.

Following the hearing, Trooper Smith’s elder sister, Sadie Gelder, read a statement on behalf of herself, his parents Sandra and David, his other sisters, Kizzy and Rebecca, and his brothers, Steven and Jamie.

It said: “Now we can have some closure, and our hearts go out to the soldiers who were there at the time of Ashley’s death, as they did what they could for him. On behalf of the family, I would like to thank the British Army for their support and also the citizens of the city of York.”

Former Hob Moor Junior School and Oaklands School pupil Trooper Smith, part of the Combined Force Nahr-e Sarajevo (South), was providing security to his colleagues during a tree-removal task around a checkpoint when the explosive device went off.

A statement by Lieutenant Nicholas Chew, 4th Troop Leader, Viking Group, and D Squadron – who described Trooper Smith as “a sensitive guy who would never wish ill on anybody” – said the team were tasked with placing bundles of piping across a ditch to allow vehicles to pass, and while they were carrying this out, there was a “large explosion”.

He said: “I saw someone fly through the air, but then my vehicle became engulfed in cloud and dust and I did not see where they had landed.” He said he saw Trooper Smith being pulled from the water line and heard somebody shout “Trooper Smith has gone”.

Two other soldiers were injured in the blast. Trooper Smith’s comrades gave him medical attention and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation as they waited for an ambulance.

Witness Lance Corporal Christopher Styles, who was injured and left “extremely disorientated” by the explosion, told the inquest the blast flung him backwards and he could not see Trooper Smith through the dirt and debris. Trooper Renee Paul said metal detectors had picked up a number of empty shells, but failed to locate the IED which killed Trooper Smith.

Trooper Andrew Clibery said: “I ran over screaming and shouting his name – he was lying on his back and he did not seem to be making normal moves.”

He saw Trooper Smith had significant injuries to his lower legs and shouted for emergency medical treatment. “I picked up Trooper Smith in my arms as if I was cradling him,” he said.

Captain David Hirst, a staff officer and IED expert, said at the time of Trooper Smith’s death that insurgents had improved their devices and made them more sophisticated and more difficult to detect.

When asked by Trooper Smith’s mother whether the metal detectors were now “good enough to keep our soldiers safe”, he said new devices were being rolled out which would ultimately replace the existing Vallon detectors.

Nicholas Hunt, who performed a post mortem examination on Trooper Smith, said he died from blood loss after suffering “devastating injuries” to his lower limbs.

He said it was down to his “strong will” that he made it as far as Camp Bastion.

He said Trooper Smith would have been rendered virtually instantaneously unconsciousness and was likely to have been unaware of what had happened.

York coroner Donald Coverdale said: “Unfortunately, he was the lead man carrying this fascine and an improvised explosive device was triggered, presumably by his treading on hidden pressure plates.

“It is right to say he will have felt no pain from this incident and the injuries were such it would not have been possible to survive, notwithstanding the heroic efforts to save his life.

“It is encouraging to know there is the quality of care available to men and women in Afghanistan.

He gave a verdict that Trooper Smith died from injuries inflicted by an explosive IED while on active service in Afghanistan.

Mr Coverdale thanked all the soldiers who had given evidence at the inquest.

“Those who’ve had to relive the awful events of that day when their friend and colleague Ashley Smith lost his life. It was difficult enough to have to tolerate that on that day,” he said.

York Press: The Press - Comment

Our heroes did not die in vain

TROOPER Ashley Smith and Marine David Hart died too young. Killed in explosions in Afghanistan, perhaps their families’ chief consolation is knowing that they were heroes. Men who gave their lives so their comrades could remain safe.

Yesterday we reported on David’s inquest and today on the coroner’s verdict in Ashley’s case, which he called a tragic death.

Both reports remind us of the horror of war and the appalling conditions young men and women face on duty in our name.

While nothing can make up for the loss of these two men, hopefully some comfort will be drawn by both families after the inquests praised medical teams who tried so valiantly to rescue Ashley and David with their own “heroic efforts”.

Their relatives and friends will never forget them. David paid for his mates to go on a dream holiday, while York High School has introduced a sporting prize named in Ashley’s honour.

But the best memory would be a speedy resolution to this conflict so that others are spared and Ashley and David, along with the other 396 British servicemen and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice, did not die in vain.

We also want to honour their memories, which is why we strongly support the City of York Afghanistan Commemorative Appeal. It is the least any of us can do.