10/06/2003

Child killed in air show tragedy is named

The five-year-old girl who was tragically killed in a freak accident at a British air base in Germany has today been named as Isobel Victoria Callaghan.

The girl was attending an annual air show with her family at a base in Rheindalen, western Germany, on Sunday when a sudden hailstorm and high winds hit the area. Isobel became tangled in ropes securing a helium balloon, which was then blown from its moorings.

The girl's body was recovered two hours later, near to where the balloon finally came down – about 40 miles away. The identification was carried out after DNA testing.

Isobel was the daughter of Corporal Robert Callaghan and his wife Hanna-Lore. Corporal Callaghan serves with 35 Engineer Regiment which is based at Sennelager.

The MoD has said that a full investigation into the accident is underway.

The child's parents are being looked after by army welfare services.

(GMcG)

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