A Scots soldier has died at the age of 20 after collapsing during the week of a record-breaking heatwave, sparking an Army investigation.
Sapper Connor Morrison, originally from East Kilbride, was reported to have suffered breathing difficulties on July 21 while training with 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment in Suffolk. An air ambulance, land ambulance and ambulance officer vehicle attended and Sapper Morrison was taken to Ipswich Hospital by land ambulance.
Tragically, the young soldier died two days later on July 23 at the age of 20. Earlier that week, on July 19, a new UK record high temperature of 40.3C was recorded in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, around 100 miles away.
The death of Sapper Morrison, who was stationed at MoD Woodbridge, is being investigated by the Defence Safety Authority alongside Suffolk Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). An Army spokesperson said: "It is with sadness that we confirm the death of Sapper Connor Morrison of 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment on July 23 2022.
"Our thoughts are with Sapper Morrison's family and friends at this difficult time, and we ask that their privacy is respected. As his death is being investigated it would be inappropriate to comment further."
A Suffolk Police spokesperson said: "We received a report from the ambulance service on July 21 reporting a male had collapsed in the Sutton area near to Woodbridge."
A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust said: "An ambulance, ambulance officer vehicle and East Anglian Air Ambulance were called to Rock Barracks, Sutton Heath, on July 21 following reports of a man with breathing problems. He was transported to Ipswich Hospital by ground ambulance, attended by air ambulance crew."
An HSE spokesperson said: "The HSE is aware of the incident and making inquiries." An inquest into Sapper Morrison's death is due to be held at a later date.
Tributes were left to the young squaddie by family, friends and former battalion mates on social media.
His dad Garry wrote: "It is with great sadness and our hearts breaking that we have to announce that we have lost our son and brother Connor Morrison. Connor passed away at Ipswich Hospital with his mum by his side. He will leave a huge gap in many lives."
Mum Brigitte said in a Facebook post: "I'm sorry, I can't thank everyone individually but please know that reading your posts about how much Connor meant to each one of you provide a massive comfort to us in these hardest of times.
"Reading your memories about his kindness, love for life and wicked sense of humour and how much impact he had made during his way too short life is almost overwhelming. I'm so proud of what a good man you have become, Connor."
A letter sent to the family by a base sergeant praised Connor as "by far one of the very best recruits". It read: "Connor was a breath of fresh air, there was no challenge he couldn’t face and fully threw himself into the deep end and embraced Basic Training in its entirety.
"Connor will be missed by myself, his Section mates and through the many friends he undoubtedly made in the wider Sapper family."
West Lowland Battalion Army Cadet Force, based in the south west of Scotland, wrote on Facebook that it was "saddened" to hear of the death of "former Balaklava Cadet CSM Connor Morrison".
"Connor was a well liked and respected young man who had been member of our Erskine detachment for five years, leaving in 2020," the post said. "He touched the lives of many of our adult instructors and cadets during his time in the ACF, and will be remembered by many as a charismatic and enthusiastic young man.
"He will be sorely missed. Our condolences are with his family and friends at this difficult time."
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