42 Afghanistan

Marine Commando tackles bomber

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"Marine rugby-tackles suicide bomber"

A Royal Marine (42-Afghan) saved scores of his comrades after he rugby-tackles an afghan motorbike suicide bomber before he could detonate a large bomb.

The 40-year-old from Devon, who asked not to be named, wrestled the bomber to the ground after spotting him reach for a detonator switch on the motorcycle's petrol tank.

the 20-year-old insurgent had managed to wheel his explosive-laden vehicle close to 130 British and Afghan Army troops when he attempted to blow himself up.

His motorcycle's panniers were packed with enough explosive to have caused devastation over an estimated 200-yard area.

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First device misfired

The bomber's first device misfired, but the popping sound of the detonator alerted the marine in time to spot him reaching for another switch connected by a bundle of wires to the saddlebags.

The marine from L Company 42 Commando Royal Marines (42 Afghan) grappled the bomber to the ground away from the device while comrades rushed to help. The motorcycle's panniers were later found to contain 150lb of explosive and the bomb defused by bomb disposal experts.

The (42-Afghan) incident happened 1st December 2008 near the Arghandab River, west of Kandahar in southern Afghanistan.

The 40-year-old had searched the same motorbike a day earlier when its panniers had been packed with potatoes.

I just didn't want him to push the button again to detonate the other charge.

"I was angry that he tried to kill us"

"I heard a popping sound like the electric sound when you connect a car battery it was him trying to set off the first of two charges."

"I ran forward and grabbed him, pushing him over the motorbike bringing him to the ground."

"I was angry that he tried to kill us and I was angry with myself for bringing young marines into this situation."

Major Rich Cantrill, Commander of L Company, said: "the marine had saved many lives and with out his actions there would have been a 'massive' explosion."

Major Cantrill said: "he acted with conspicuous gallantry in the situation and put himself at great peril to get the suicide bomber away from the motorbike."

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"It was conspicuous gallantry"

"He ran over and more or less rugby-tackled him to the ground."

"He had grabbed him away from the bike after seeing wires and the switches. He quickly realised the implications of it all."

"He showed great restraint in dealing with him especially as he had tried to kill him and the other lads around him."

"It was conspicuous gallantry. He saved multiple lives. Everyone thinks he is a hero."

"The Marine is now been predicted to be put forward for a gallantry award."

Commander Paula Rowe, spokeswoman for Taskforce Helman, said: "the marine's actions had been 'tremendous'."

She said: "we recommend this act of bravery and it was another example of the forces in Taskforce Helmand acting to protect the lives of Afghans."

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