Sapper Connor Morrison, who was based in Woodbridge in Suffolk, was reported to be experiencing breathing difficulties on July 21, with the ambulance service being called to Rock Barracks in Sutton Heath. He was taken to Ipswich Hospital by ambulance crews but died two days later. Earlier that week, on 19 July, a new UK record high temperature of 40.3 C (104.5 F) was recorded in Coningsby, Lincolnshire. The death of Sapper Morrison is being investigated by the Defense Safety Authority along with Suffolk Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). It would not be the first death of a member of the UK armed forces during a heatwave, after two people are believed to have died of heat exhaustion while training in Wales in 2013. An army spokesman said: “We regret to confirm the death of Sapper Connor Morrison of 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment on 23 July 2022. “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Sapper Morrison at this difficult time and we ask that their privacy be respected. “As his death is under investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment further.” A Suffolk Police spokesman said: “We received a report from the ambulance service on July 21 that a man had collapsed in the Sutton area near Woodbridge.” A spokesman for East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust said: “An ambulance, an ambulance officer’s vehicle and East of England Ambulance were called to Rock Barracks, Sutton Heath, on July 21 following reports of a man with breathing problems. “He was taken to Ipswich Hospital by ground ambulance, attended by an ambulance crew.” A spokesman for the HSE said: “The HSE is aware of the incident and is investigating.” An inquest into the death of Sapper Morrison is to be held at a later date. The West Lowland Battalion Army Cadet Force, based in southwest Scotland, wrote on Facebook that it was “saddened” to hear of the death of “former Balaklava Cadet CSM Connor Morrison”. “He touched the lives of many of our adult trainers and students during his time at ACF and will be remembered by many as a charismatic and enthusiastic young man. “He will be greatly missed. “Our condolences go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.”
