Hundredth Land Rover overturn prompts combat fears

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Source: Channel 4 News

Hundredth Land Rover overturn prompts combat fears
Vehicles 'overturning without first colliding' in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Fresh calls have been made to stop soldiers using Land Rovers in combat after new figures revealed the ageing vehicles have overturned 100 times - without being in a collision.

Ministry of Defence (MoD) records show 87 incidents of Land Rovers "overturning without first colliding" in Iraq - and 13 in Afghanistan. Former Metropolitan police officer Roger Bacon, whose son Matthew was travelling in a Land Rover when he fell victim to a roadside bomb in Iraq, said: "The figures seem quite extraordinary to me. "It was always designed as an off-road vehicle - but it appears the modifications that have been made for use in Iraq have rendered it vulnerable.

'I know some of these Land Rovers were used in Northern Ireland - they are years old.'
Roger Bacon"It rather suggests there is something intrinsically wrong with them, they should be replaced. I know some of these Land Rovers were used in Northern Ireland - they are years old."

Previous calls have been made to withdraw the vehicles from service, amid fears they did not provide sufficient armoured protection. Mr Bacon's 34-year-old son was killed in September 2005.

Tory MP Ann Winterton, who unearthed the MoD data, said: "I was surprised by the figures - I'd heard indirectly that this might be the case. "Usually the MoD doesn't release this sort of information - so this shows they are aware of the issue. I'm going to be looking into building up a clearer picture about this, and whether the MoD has a plan in place to replace these Land Rovers."

Read more: http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/middle_east/hundredth+land+rover+overturn+prompts+combat+fears/540962