- Edward Heal had been training for first Afghan tour of duty to start in March
- Devastated mother: ‘His presents are still by the tree’
By
Chris Parsons
Last updated at 1:33 PM on 27th December 2011
A young soldier on leave ahead of his first ever Afghanistan tour of duty was killed in a road accident on Christmas Day.
Edward Heal, a 19-year-old trooper in the Kings Royal Hussars, was hit by a car in North Somerset after leaving a pub in the early hours of Christmas Day.
The tank gunner had been training for a tour of duty in Afghanistan due to start in March.
Tragic: Soldier Edward Heal was fatally hit by a car on Christmas Day during military leave
The soldier’s heartbroken mother, Elaine Coles, 50, said her son had gone for a drink on Christmas Eve with his stepbrother Sam, 24, at the Bristol pub in Clevedon, Somerset.
Holding back tears, Mrs Coles told the Western Daily Press: ‘I have been worried about him going to Afghanistan ever since he joined up.
‘He always said to me there was more chance of him being hit by a car than being killed while on duty.
‘I can’t believe it. It shouldn’t have happened. His Christmas presents are still there by the Christmas tree.’
Tributes: Flowers, flags and rugby shirts are laid at the spot where the 19-year-old was hit in Clevedon, Somerset, on Christmas Day
The teenager, who was on leave from his regiment for a week, was hit by the Mazda in Kenn Road, Clevedon at 1.15am on Christmas Day. He was declared dead at the scene.
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: ‘An investigation is under way to establish the circumstances.’
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information which could help the investigation is asked to contact Avon and Somerset Police on 101.
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It is tragic for any 19 year old to lose his life. I offer my condolences to Edward’s family. I’m an ex-pat now living in Canada. I have not served in the forces but I appreciate the service that these young men women do. If I was 40 odd years younger, I hope I would have the same courage as these KIDS to enlist.
Once again, my sympathies my thanks to Edward.
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RIP young man
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I bet it wasn’t an accident,or bad driving,I bet he was targeted by someone who doesn’t like soldiers fighting in Afghanistan.
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R.I.P a fellow hussar. Thoughts are with the family. ‘Hussars’!
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R.I.P a fellow hussar. Thoughts are with the family. ‘Hussars’!
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Very sad loss of a fellow Hussar R.I.P, ‘Hussars’
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Ed was such a nice guy! He’s going to missed, and never forgotton..The accident happened down the road from where I live..It’s such a sad thing to happen even worse on Christmas Day! R.I.P Ed 🙁
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How very sad for this family. Such a tragic waste of life. Condolences to his family.
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How tragic, what a sad waste of a young life. RIP young man x
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