Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
aparently one oficer shot dead and anther wounded,one sailor areasted.seems rather sad thing to happen on a good will trip to southamton.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
a bit more on the above story.
Hero' Thwarts Nuclear Sub Gunman Share Comments
4:18am UK, Saturday April 09, 2011
A council leader who wrestled a gunman to the ground, after he killed a Royal Navy officer and wounded another, said he does not "feel like a hero".
Southampton City Council leader Royston Smith was visiting the submarine with other local dignitaries while it was berthed at the Eastern Docks on a five-day official visit to the city.
Mr Smith, a 46-year-old former RAF engineer, said he wrestled the gunman to the ground and helped disarm him but downplayed his heroic actions.
He said afterwards: "I don't feel like a hero, I wish it hadn't happened."
The dramatic scenes unfolded during a civic visit on board HMS Astute as it was docked in the Hampshire port at around noon on Friday.
A Royal Navy serviceman was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
Mr Smith said he was acting of instinct, not heroism
Hampshire Police are conducting an investigation into the shootings in co-operation with Ministry of Defence (MoD) police and naval provosts.
Sources said that a lieutenant commander in charge of the vessel's missiles and torpedoes was killed in the gun attack, while another lieutenant commander survived.
The wounded officer remains in hospital where he was said to be in a stable condition.
The MoD is expected to issue a statement later today confirming the names of the two victims.
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
Mr Smith described how he "wrestled" the gunman to the ground in the submarine's control room as he attempted to stop him.
Sources said the gunman, later identified as a 22-year-old able seaman, was wearing body armour and camouflage gear and due to start gangway security duty.
"It's awful for the boys on the submarine. They will never forget the events of today," Mr Smith said.
POLICE STATEMENT ON NUCLEAR SUB KILLING
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.
A man has been arrested by police and taken into custody
"We had a tussle and I think I was shouting quite a lot. My instinct was to make myself scary.
He added that a group of schoolchildren had left the submarine shortly before the incident happened.
The MoD said the shooting was not terrorist-related and there was no threat to the wider public.
It is understood that the shooting was carried out with an SA80 service rifle.
Emergency vehicles at the scene of the shooting
After Mr Smith's quick action it is understood the gunman was grabbed by other naval personnel who handed him over to MoD police who were there as part of the civic visit.
He was then transferred to Hampshire police officers when they arrived minutes later.
Sources said the motive for the shooting was unclear but played down the possibility of post-traumatic stress disorder being a factor.
Submariners, who are considered elite naval members, must undergo rigorous psychological and physical tests before acceptance into what is known as the Silent Service.
They receive higher pay allowances due to the conditions endured underwater and in confined conditions.
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.
Royston Smith
At the end of shore-based basic training and then lengthy specialist onboard work submariners are awarded a "dolphins" badge, which helps marks their difference from surface sailors.
The MoD refused to comment on claims that it took place after a row unfolded over the use of a lavatory.
Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: "I am greatly saddened to hear of this tragic incident and of the death of a Royal Navy serviceman.
"It is right and proper that a full police investigation is carried out and allowed to take its course.
"My thoughts and sympathies are with those who have been affected and their families."
Chief Supt David Thomas, of Hampshire Police, said the major crime branch investigation into the incident would involve obtaining statements from all those on board at the time, believed to number around 30.
HMS Astute was embarassingly grounded off Isle of Skye last year
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 vessel, 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
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Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
This submarine seems to be jinxed. Grounded last year in highly embarassing circumstances despite having state of the art technology in no small measure. Following that incident the commander lost his job. He's now shuffling papers somewhere in Alaska.
But extraordinary that this latest situation all happened in the middle of a visit by councillors. Very brave of Councillor Smith to have a go. Great shame for personnel to lose their lives in this way.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
funny you should say that paul reports where saying that a party of school children had just disembarked when shots where heard,i might be mistaken but there might have been another school party waiting to bored,any way the poor kids now need councerling having been distressed by the incedent.
Its a sad story and we dont no the facts , but it must be a difficult work enviroment on a sub .
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
mark,to get a good idea on how cramped a submarine is,go to chatham dockyard and have a tour of there cold war sub.
Guest 702- Registered: 9 Jul 2010
- Posts: 241
The driving seat of HMS Ocelot at Chatham Dockyard.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Well done with that picture Ken. Very cramped indeed. I saw a group picture today of the chap that carried out the shooting..cheerily laughing in jolly looking terms with his mates in a group pic. I think Sky News had the pic...so strange, he might just have snapped over the smallest thing. It just goes to show...if you have access to a gun at those dark moments you might just use it.
The guy who did the shooting in Holland yesterday was also a certified member of a gun club like many who carried out such deeds before. Once access is there trouble soon follows.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
the guy who shot the officer was a relativly local chap,came from dartford apparently.
he has now been charged with 1 acount of murder and 3 counts of attempted murder.
