British soldier killed in Basra

A British soldier has been killed in a small arms fire attack while on patrol in Basra, southern Iraq.

The Ministry of Defence later named the man as Daniel Lee Coffey of 10 Platoon, C Company, Second Battalion The Rifles.

Officials said he came under fire in the Al Maqil district of Basra. He was taken to hospital but died from his injuries.

An MoD spokesman said the soldier was on routine patrol when he came under attack.

He said: "It is with regret that we must confirm that a British soldier serving with 2nd Battalion The Rifles has died following a small arms fire attack on a routine patrol in the Al Maqil district of Basra.

"The soldier sustained very serious injuries and, despite receiving the best possible medical care at a field hospital in theatre, he later died from his wounds."

He was the 133rd member of the British forces to die in Iraq since hostilities began in March 2003 and the 102nd to be killed in combat.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.