A 36-year-old British Army veteran was killed whereas on energetic service with the Ukrainian military after sustaining deadly accidents, an inquest has concluded.
Scott Sibley, from Immingham, North Lincolnshire, died on 22 April after his place in southern Ukraine got here underneath assault from heavy artillery shelling.
Senior coroner Darren Salter mentioned the father-of-three was “killed while on active service with the Ukrainian army”.
Mr Sibley’s members of the family watched the Oxford Coroners’ Court listening to by way of videolink.
Mr Sibley travelled to affix the frontline on 13 March, travelling from Manchester to Poland earlier than crossing the border into Ukraine.
The former soldier joined the International Brigade of Ukraine and was fatally injured after “volunteering” for a sniper mission whereas defending the southern Mykolaiv area.
The inquest heard that Mr Sibley had spent three days in a foxhole however because the staff was attributable to be relieved, a drone was seen overhead with heat-sensing tools.
Moments later, they got here underneath assault from heavy artillery shelling, and the foxhole was compromised.
Mr Sibley ran to take cowl, however he was struck by mortar hearth.
A autopsy examination confirmed Mr Sibley sustained “penetrating fragment injuries” to the chest and stomach because of the detonation of an explosive gadget.
The accidents wouldn’t have been survivable, even with medical intervention, the coroner mentioned.
A forensic pathologist concluded “there is nothing that could have been done to have saved his life”.
Mr Sibley’s mom, Marie Sibley, mentioned he took on the “role of protector” at a younger age, in an announcement learn to the inquest.
She added that as a young person he joined the air cadets and was all the time “helping where he could”, earlier than becoming a member of the military.
Mrs Sibley mentioned: “He had heard news about women and children being abused. He wanted to help.
“He knew Ukraine was requiring help, particularly from these with navy expertise, which Scott had.
“While in Poland, Scott would make contact via a family WhatsApp group so we would know he was safe.
“He mentioned he had made some good mates and he was high-quality. He was happy to be serving to.
“He was in his element and likened it to his Afghan tours. This was the last communication we had with Scott.
“Scott would do something to assist anybody. He had a great coronary heart, and was a great individual.”
A Ukrainian loss of life certificates was issued for Mr Sibley on 25 April earlier than his physique was repatriated to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on 24 May.
He was formally recognized by dental information, and a particular tattoo on his left shoulder.
Source: information.sky.com”