British officer dies of natural causes in Iraq

LONDON (AFP) Jul 21, 2003
A British armed forces officer has died in southern Iraq after collapsing during a physical training session, a Ministry of Defence spokesman announced on Monday.

Captain James Linton, 43, died early Friday following a routine training session at the Al-Zubeir British base, southwest of Basra, the spokesman said.

"He was given medical attention at the scene and then taken to a field hospital but is believed to have died that morning," the spokesman added.

The officer, who was married with three children, had arrived in Iraq in early July.

His death takes to 44 the number of British military personnel killed since the start of the US-led war in Iraq on March 20.

WAR.WIRE