Waterside soldier dies in accident

Trooper Mark McKeen, aged 23, and Private Codie Richardson, aged 20, died when the car they were in hit a tree at Leyburn Road, near Citterick Golf Club in North Yorkshire, close to their military base.

Trooper McKeen attended Lisneal College with Alderman Gary Middleton, who described him as a friendly person who had no difficulty making friends. He said Trooper McKeen had been “destined to be a soldier”.

Commanding officer, Major Hugh Pearce-Gould, described Trooper McKeen as a “first class soldier” who had “served with great courage and dedication on two difficult tours of Afghanistan.”

(See Page 3)