Hero Stafford soldier cheats death in Afghanistan

A soldier from Staffordshire dodged death by inches after being caught in a bomb blast in Afghanistan.

Grenadier Guard Sergeant Mark James was travelling in an armoured vehicle when an improvised explosive device went off.

The 31-year-old from Stafford told today how he was lucky to be alive.

The attack happened in central Helmand province as the bodies of six soldiers, were repatriated on Tuesday.

The following day a serviceman from the 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment died in a blast while working alongside an Afghan security force patrol.

Sgt James was taking part in the Afghan-led Operation Now Roz to clear a Taliban heartland. He was travelling to collect supplies in an armoured transporter vehicle with a colleague.

He said: "We had just pulled off the main A1 highway on to a gravel track which is flanked by two Afghan National Army checkpoints. We were about 200 metres past the first checkpoint when we heard the blast and felt the vehicle shake.

"I thought, 'what the hell is that', and then our training kicked in as we got out of the vehicle and dealt with the threat. We didn't have time to think about what had happened."

He added: "It was only afterwards that I realised how lucky I had been."

Maj James said: "IEDs have killed lots of our colleagues and we all know people who have lost limbs because of them.

"It is something we are warned about on a daily basis and, for every attack reported back home, there are many more. They also kill and hurt Afghan soldiers and civilians.

"We can't let it affect us. If you thought about it too much you would be constantly terrified and wouldn't be able to get on with your job."