A civilian “Q-style” weapons-testing expert working for a company which supplies the MoD was accidentally shot in the neck whilst testing weapons at a firing range.
The man was left fighting for his life and quick-thinking serving troops nearby dashed to his aid before he was taken by emergency helicopter to a local hospital in Wales.
It is believed without medically-trained Army troops rushing to his aid the seriously-injured man may not have survived.
The incident happened at 11 am on Thursday on a Ministry of Defence firing range on the West Wales coast, which is run by QinetiQ, a leading futuristic weapons company.
It is believed the defence specialist was shot whilst working with “small arms” weapons as in rifles or pistols, on the range and a full investigation is underway.
The quick-thinking soldiers were working on the Army’s new and futuristic Ajax fighting vehicle. This evening sources told the Daily Mirror the wounded man was stable. As well as an air-ambulance, other local emergency services, including the civilian police were called.
The accidental shooting happened at the MoD’s Pendine Range, which is run by futuristic weapons and defence equipment manufacturer QinetiQ, in Carmarthen.
QinetiQ are well-known for making experimental weapons and are heavily involved in ground-breaking new technology such as “laser directed energy weapons.”
They are also world-beaters in other spy-style technologies such as Cyber, air defence systems and other high-tech aspects of the military.
QinetiQ is a top British supplier of technology, defence systems and weaponry to the Ministry of Defence and militaries worldwide- often compared to “Q” in the James Bond movies.
A QinetiQ spokesman in London told the Daily Mirror: “QinetiQ can confirm that a serious incident occurred on the 25th March at approximately 11:00am on the Ministry of Defence’s Pendine Range, which QinetiQ operates in Carmarthen.
“This incident unfortunately resulted in injury to a member of QinetiQ personnel.
“We are cooperating fully with the emergency services and a full investigation is underway.
“It is too early to comment further at this stage, but additional information will be made available in due course once all investigations have been completed.”
Last night the MoD said: “We are aware of an incident at MoD Pendine in Carmarthen which resulted in a civilian sustaining injuries.
"No Army personnel were directly involved. All further enquiries should be made to QinetiQ and Dyfed Powys Police.”
