Brit soldier, 30, drowns swimming near famous D-Day bridge after travelling to Normandy for official 75th anniversary commemorations

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A BRITISH soldier has drowned in Normandy after travelling to France to take part in the official D-Day commemoration events

The soldier attempted to swim a canal late on Saturday night near the famous Pegasus Bridge – the site of a historic WWII battle.


Sources said the tragic incident happened during some down time and revealed he may have been drinking.

He was there to take part in official celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

Local media said the victim was a 30-year-old and was staying at Ranville, near Caen on the Normandy coast.

He has been named by sources as Lance Corporal Darren Jones of the Royal Engineers.

Hundreds of British troops have travelled to France to attend D-Day commemorations.

It is believed he tried to swim across a canal late Saturday night near Pegasus Bridge.

The bridge was the first site freed from the Germans by British troops during the massive Allied invasion in June 1944 and made famous in the 1962 film ‘The Longest Day’.

Sources said the soldier’s mates lost track of him and alerted local authorities at around 11pm.

A body was pulled from the water at 3am.

An Army spokesperson said: “It is with sadness that we must confirm the death of service person in France. Our thoughts are with their family at this difficult time.”

Thousands of people and dignitaries – including President Donald Trump – are expected in Normandy this week to mark the D-Day landings of June 6, 1944.

The invasion marked the beginning of Europe’s liberation and the eventual defeat of the Nazi regime.


Source : The Sun

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