A VETERAN soldier from the North-East has died in a training accident in the United States.

Sergeant Andrew Jowers, better known by his Army nickname of Jiggy, was one of two people who died in a road accident in Arizona last Wednesday.

The 36-year-old, from Ormesby, Middlesbrough, who had seen service in Bosnia and Iraq, had been due to be reunited with his wife, Carol-Ann, and their three sons for Christmas on December 22.

The family are staying at an Army base in Osnabruck, Germany.

Sgt Jowers' devastated parents, Frank, 58, and Maureen, 54, from Bournemouth Avenue, Ormesby, are hoping his body will be flown home before the weekend.

They still know very little about the road accident, which is the subject of a criminal investigation in the US.

A colleague, Corporal Jonathan Leslie Train, of the Royal Lancers, was also killed in the accident.

Sgt Jowers' wife said yesterday: "We had a few days together in Germany before he went to America. He had only been there two weeks and was due to come back next Friday.

"He was going to drive straight back after he landed. We just can't believe it."

Mrs Jowers, from Hemlington, Middlesbrough, said they spent much of their married life in Germany, with their sons Ross, ten, Connor, eight, and Josh, five.

She said her husband had joined up in 1986 and served in Bosnia, Poland, Cyprus and Northern Ireland, as well as two tours in Iraq.

He was directing ground attack aircraft with the RAF and US Marine Corps in the US.

Sgt Jowers has a brother, Lee, 31, who was a soldier in the Green Howards for 11 years, and a sister, Kelly, 29.

Lee said last night: "He was brilliant. He was always up for a laugh and always looked after his kids - they always came first. He loved the Army - it was his life."

An Army spokesman said: "The tragic death of Sgt Jowers has left an immense feeling of loss among his friends and colleagues in the regiment.

"He was a huge credit to his family, to the Royal Artillery and the wider Army.

"Tough, loyal and charismatic, he was resourceful and dedicated to his job.

"He will be sorely missed.

"The thoughts and prayers of everyone in 4th Regiment are with his wife and three children at this very difficult time."