Sutton Heath: Soldier, 20, died of natural causes say Health and Safety Executive

A young soldier who reportedly collapsed during hot weather died of "natural causes", the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said.

Sapper Connor Morrison, 20, of 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment stationed in Woodbridge, Suffolk, died in Ipswich Hospital on 23 July, 2022.

A Defence Safety Authority investigation is ongoing, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said.

It previously confirmed the soldier died in a "non-operational incident".

Paramedics attended the barracks on 21 July after Sapper Morrison, from Erksine in Renfrewshire, Scotland, suffered breathing difficulties, the East of England Ambulance Service said.

Around the time the UK was experiencing record high temperatures, with 40.3C (105F) being recorded in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, on 19 July.

In a tribute, his commanding officer Lt Col Jack Crossley, described Sapper Morrison as a "professional soldier with much promise".

He was well-liked by his fellow soldiers and an "avid supporter of Scottish football", enjoying winding up his English colleagues, the Lt Col said.

"Keen and enthusiastic, he worked hard to achieve his goals at every stage of his training and impressed his instructors with his knowledge and skills. More importantly, he was a loyal friend and a genuine team player," he added.

An HSE spokesperson said: "The post-mortem results showed this to be a natural causes death which meant HSE had no further inquiries and the case was closed. A letter was sent to the MOD in January 2023 confirming our position."

A spokesman for the MOD said: "Our thoughts continue to be with Sapper Morrison's family and inquiries are ongoing."

Suffolk Police confirmed officers were also no longer investigating.

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