3:30pm Sunday 7th March 2010
By Steve Dancey
TIDWORTH-based soldier WO2 Nick Wright has returned home for some well-earned rest after being involved in a dramatic rescue mission in northern Helmand province, Afghanistan.
WO2 Wright of 1st Battalion the Royal Horse Artillery (1RHA) was instrumental in saving the lives of Afghan locals who became trapped in a lorry as it tried to cross a river.
Many of them were terrified because they were unable to swim.
“The infamous Afghan winter did not seem to materialise this year in many parts of Helmand,” he said.
“The wadis in Musa Qal’eh have been mostly dry and passable until this week, when the storms to the north and the heavy rainfall began to flood the area.
“Overnight the Musa Qal’eh wadi flooded and became impassable.
“Water levels rose to two metres, with water flowing rapidly.
“In spite of the odds, the locals decided to try to cross the wadi as they had always done. Unfortunately they underestimated the power of mother nature and their Russian-built four-ton trucks – one carrying 20 locals and the other laden with rice – soon got stuck.”
Troops on routine patrols nearby radioed for assistance and it was soon established that crossing the water would be impossible.
This was confirmed when WO2 Wright was swept into the fast-running water.
“Thankfully I managed to swim to the vehicles and grab on top of the truck’s cabin,” he said.
The Household Cavalry Regiment worked with locals to set up a crane to rescue the people from their vehicles.
“It was hard going but it was so rewarding to know that we helped save those locals with what must have been a terrifying situation for them.”
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