British soldier, 30, in Normandy for the D-Day commemorations tragically drowns while swimming in a canal near the famous Pegasus Bridge
A British soldier has drowned in a canal after being sent to Normandy for the D-Day commemorations.
Lance Corporal Darren Jones, of the Royal Engineers, is said to have got into difficulty while swimming in a canal in Normandy at the weekend.
He had been in the country as part of the team assisting in the 75th anniversary commemorations for D-Day.
A British soldier has drowned near the famous Pegasus Bridge in Normandy ahead of the D-Day commemorations
An Army spokeswoman said: ‘It is with sadness that we must confirm the death of a service person in France. Our thoughts are with their family at this difficult time.’
The incident is thought to have happened either late on Saturday night or early on Sunday morning during down-time.
A post-mortem examination is yet to be carried out.
LCpl Jones had been in Normandy as part of the team assisting in the 75th anniversary commemorations for D-Day and it is believed that during down-time over the weekend, either late on Saturday night or early on Sunday morning, he went swimming in a canal and got into difficulty.
Press Association sources said it would appear he has drowned.
French police are understood to be investigating and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
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