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Army officer sues defence bosses after low-flying Apache helicopter sliced into his head

Blades on the chopper’s wheels — used to stop the aircraft sinking in sand — left him with severe injuries to his jaw, eye, back, chest and neck

AN Army officer is suing defence chiefs for  £300,000  after  an Apache helicopter sliced into his head.

It sheared through   Lt Col Gavin Saunders’ Toyota Land Cruiser on a training exercise.

 Sketch of how crash that injured Lt Col Gavin Saunders could have occurred
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Sketch of how crash that injured Lt Col Gavin Saunders could have occurred

Blades on the chopper’s wheels — used to stop the aircraft sinking in sand — left him with severe injuries to his jaw, eye, back, chest and neck.

The November 2013 accident happened in a “delay tactical exercise”  in Kuwait.

It involved two Apaches  flown by Kuwaitis under the control of the MoD.

 Lt Col Saunders suffered severe injuries to his jaw, eye, back, chest and neck
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Lt Col Saunders suffered severe injuries to his jaw, eye, back, chest and neck

Lt Col Saunders, 49, from Warminster, Wilts, was with six students driving over obstacles when he was hit.

It was not clear if any passengers were injured.

Lt Col Saunders, below, was believed to still be serving in the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment.

 The accident involved two Apaches flown by Kuwaitis under the control of the MoD (library photo)
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The accident involved two Apaches flown by Kuwaitis under the control of the MoD (library photo)Credit: Alamy

His lawyers say the incident has left him “disadvantaged at work” and    that defence officials were negligent.

An MoD spokesman said: “Our brave Armed Forces do a vital  job, so when they have suffered an injury we provide support and consider any claim carefully.”

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