TWO SOLDIERS SURVIVE LANDMINE BLAST IN AFGHANISTAN

TWO soldiers have told how they cheated death when they were blown up by a landmine in Afghanistan.

The blast flipped an eight-tonne Scimitar armoured vehicle on its side “like a toy” and hurled one squaddie three metres into a ditch.

Miraculously, the gunner and squaddie received only minor injuries in the explosion, which destroyed the vehicle.

Lance Corporal Charlie Rock, 22, was in the turret of the Scimitar when the device was triggered.

His pal, trooper Scott Hutchison, 19, was patrolling on foot in front of the tank.

Charlie, nicknamed Rocky, of Borehamwood, Herts, said: “I had my eyes glued to the electronic sights of the 30mm cannon.

“The next thing I knew, the world went upside down. The ground was next to my head. I looked to my right and saw the floor. I remember thinking, ‘That’s just not right, mate’.

“I realised what had happened and got myself out of the turret. I hadn’t got a scratch on me. I helped to get the other crew out of the vehicle.

“The driver had broken his spine and was in a state of shock. The commander was knocked unconscious. We got them out OK.

“The vehicle was a write-off and had to be fully destroyed to deny it to the enemy. I was a bit worried about Hutch because he had been right in front of the vehicle when the device initiated.”

Scott, of Preston, Lancs, recalled: “I was about ten feet in front of Rocky’s wagon when this thing went off.

“All I remember was seeing smoke and debris and then a ringing in my ears. I ended up in a ditch about three metres from the vehicle.

“I came to and patted myself down. A mate called over and the medics came to see me. I was all right, except the pressure from the blast had perforated my right eardrum.”

Charlie and Scott were mates in the Light Dragoons cavalry regiment which was taking part in Operation Panther’s Claw when they were hit by the blast.

The incident took place during the massive mission to rout the Taliban near Babaji in Helmand Province before the summer elections last July.

Last night they were celebrating their safe return to their families in Britain after a six-month tour.

Charlie said: “It feels great to be back home at last.”