AN investigation has been launched after an army recruit died suddenly while taking part in an adventure training exercise.

Private Stephen Murray, who was based at Catterick Garrison, was taking part in a training week at Halton Camp, near Lancaster, when the tragedy took place.

His platoon from the 1st Training Battalion arrived at the camp on Tuesday last week and were taking part in adventure training in the Lake District, including kayaking, caving and climbing.

But at around 5.30am on Friday colleagues were unable to wake 23-year-old Pte Murray and an ambulance was called, followed by the police.

Pte Murray, from East Kilbride, was taken to Lancaster Hospital where he died at 6.50pm that day.

His parents Kathleen and Jim Taylor, who had hurried down from their home in Scotland to be with him, were at his bedside.

Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances of his death but at this stage it is not believed to have been suspicious.

The rest of his shaken platoon returned to Catterick Garrison later on Friday after completing a final map-reading exercise.

Pte Murray had been in the 11th week of his 26-week training programme with the Infantry Training Centre at Catterick Garrison.

A spokesman at the base said yesterday: "Pte Murray was a normal, fit young soldier and our deep sympathy goes out to his parents and his wider family."