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01-24-2004, 01:01 AM
TWO SAS heroes who died when their vehicle crashed in Iraq had been to a party, it emerged yesterday.
Major James Stenner, 30, and Sergeant Norman Patterson, 28, were celebrating New Year’s Eve with American special forces troops.
Sgt Patterson, who did not normally drink, and Major Stenner — whose wife Mary is five months pregnant — were plied with free beer by the Americans.
In the early hours of New Year’s Day their Jeep, driven by Sgt Patterson, crashed at high speed into anti-tank barriers in Iraqi capital Baghdad.
Last night sources said that Sgt Patterson was “well over” the drink-
driving limit. Major Stenner was “just over” the limit. At first, the Ministry of Defence denied the pair had been drinking, but post mortem tests revealed they had.
The case is causing massive embarrassment among the highest echelons of the Who Dares Wins regiment.
It is believed to be the first time in its 63-year history that SAS men have died directly as a result of a drink-related accident. Concerns had been growing within the regiment that troops were drinking while on duty in combat zones.
The two men were inside a US-controlled “Green Zone” where concrete bollards are set up to protect against car bombers.
Major Stenner, from Monmouthshire, won a Military Cross for bravery at the start of last year’s Iraq war.
The major, who joined from the Welsh Guards, followed in his father’s footsteps into the SAS.
Sgt Patterson, originally from the Cheshire Regiment, was single and had recently joined A Squadron.
The elite regiment has not lost a soldier in combat since Trooper Brad Tinnion in Sierra Leone during September 2000.
Defence sources said Major Stenner and Sgt Patterson were not on duty at the time of the accident.
No other vehicle — or hostile attack — was involved.
A former senior SAS officer said: “The regiment is as renowned for its parties as its fighting ability.
“There are, however, certain rules. The first is: no drinking on operations.
“The actions carried out by the regiment are too delicate to have them compromised by drunkenness.
“If they go to a social gathering where they will be expected to drink, one man is delegated as driver.
“Did the Americans set out to get them drunk? Could they have been given a sober driver? These questions should be asked.”
the Sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2004033569,00.html)
Major James Stenner, 30, and Sergeant Norman Patterson, 28, were celebrating New Year’s Eve with American special forces troops.
Sgt Patterson, who did not normally drink, and Major Stenner — whose wife Mary is five months pregnant — were plied with free beer by the Americans.
In the early hours of New Year’s Day their Jeep, driven by Sgt Patterson, crashed at high speed into anti-tank barriers in Iraqi capital Baghdad.
Last night sources said that Sgt Patterson was “well over” the drink-
driving limit. Major Stenner was “just over” the limit. At first, the Ministry of Defence denied the pair had been drinking, but post mortem tests revealed they had.
The case is causing massive embarrassment among the highest echelons of the Who Dares Wins regiment.
It is believed to be the first time in its 63-year history that SAS men have died directly as a result of a drink-related accident. Concerns had been growing within the regiment that troops were drinking while on duty in combat zones.
The two men were inside a US-controlled “Green Zone” where concrete bollards are set up to protect against car bombers.
Major Stenner, from Monmouthshire, won a Military Cross for bravery at the start of last year’s Iraq war.
The major, who joined from the Welsh Guards, followed in his father’s footsteps into the SAS.
Sgt Patterson, originally from the Cheshire Regiment, was single and had recently joined A Squadron.
The elite regiment has not lost a soldier in combat since Trooper Brad Tinnion in Sierra Leone during September 2000.
Defence sources said Major Stenner and Sgt Patterson were not on duty at the time of the accident.
No other vehicle — or hostile attack — was involved.
A former senior SAS officer said: “The regiment is as renowned for its parties as its fighting ability.
“There are, however, certain rules. The first is: no drinking on operations.
“The actions carried out by the regiment are too delicate to have them compromised by drunkenness.
“If they go to a social gathering where they will be expected to drink, one man is delegated as driver.
“Did the Americans set out to get them drunk? Could they have been given a sober driver? These questions should be asked.”
the Sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2004033569,00.html)