A soldier from the Royal Regiment of Scotland has been shot dead during a live firing exercise at a military training area in Northumberland.

The incident took place during a night firing drill at the Otterburn firing range at around 11.15pm on Monday.

The man suffered a serious head wound and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Police officers are working with the Ministry of Defence to establish the exact circumstances of the incident and a cordon is currently in place.

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Armed Forces Minister Mike Penning announced the death on Tuesday.

He said: “My thoughts are with the soldier’s family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.

“The safety of our personnel is our absolute priority and, while deaths in training don’t happen often, any death is a tragedy.

“As well as a police investigation, MoD accident investigators are looking into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.”

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A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “At around 11.15pm [on Monday] police received a report that a soldier had been shot on the military ranges in Otterburn during a live firing exercise.

“Emergency services attended and found the male soldier had received a serious head wound.

“Sadly he was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.”

An MoD spokesman said the Defence Safety Authority is investigating, but added that there were no details on whether any other personnel were involved.

The soldier’s next of kin has been informed but his identity has not yet been released.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “This is a tragic incident and my deepest condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of the soldier who has died.

“Our armed forces do a difficult and dangerous job at all times, and this is another stark reminder of that. My thoughts are with all who loved this brave soldier.”