TWO Warminster-based soldiers killed when their 70-ton Challenger tank overturned on Salisbury Plain, died accidentally an inquest at Salisbury decided on Tuesday.

Second Lieutenant Paul Syred, 25, and operator-loader Corporal Michael Paterson, 28, who was married and lived in Pepper Close, died during a battle training exercise in July last year.

Lieutenant Syred, from Cumbria, died from multiple traumatic injuries, and Corporal Paterson from traumatic head injuries.

Both were in the turrets of the tank when it toppled over the edge of a track near the Army's battle training ground at Imber, crushing both men.

Announcing the verdicts, the jury called for changes in training programmes for drivers and tank commanders, and said consideration should be given to the mix of experienced and inexperienced tank crews.

Jurors asked Wiltshire Coroner David Masters to make the recommendations, including increased emphasis on accident and hazard awareness.

Police accident investigator PC Stephen Cox said the men would have had half a second to take action.

"It is possible the tank would have started to tip before the crew had time to recognise what was happening," he said. "If this is the case they would not have had sufficient time to get back within the safety of the hull."

Tank gunner, Trooper Simon Hampton said he had heard the order to reverse, followed by shouting.

Driver, Trooper Scot Christie, who was not long out of training when the accident happened, said they drove up a ridge, then he got the order to reverse hard and put his foot flat to the floor.

He said he felt the sensation of sliding and then turning over.

Cambridge graduate Lieutenant Syred had recently arrived at the Royal Tank Regiment Squadron after training at Sandhurst Military Academy and Bovington.

Lieutenant Colonel Philip Napier, who planned the exercise, told of the risk assessment which had been made. "I think we have a duty of care to give our soldiers realistic training for anywhere in the world," he said.