Inquest finds British paratrooper died from explosion injuries in Ukraine

An inquest has found that Lance Corporal George Hooley died from injuries sustained in an explosion in Ukraine. The 28-year-old British paratrooper was observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability away from the front line when he was injured early on 6 December 2025. He received emergency treatment and underwent surgery, but died in a Kyiv hospital on 9 December. [1] [2]

Oxfordshire senior coroner Darren Salter said he had limited evidence about the circumstances and cause of the explosion, but found no suspicious circumstances. The Ministry of Defence had previously described Hooley’s death as following a tragic accident while he observed the test. [1] [2] [3]