A "fearless" British soldier was killed in an operational accident in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.
Ranger David Dalzell, 20, of 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment, died on Friday while serving in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand.
Details of the accident will be heard during an inquest, the Ministry of Defence said.
A total of 352 UK military personnel have now died since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001, including 42 who have died as a result of accidents, illness, non-combat injuries or who have not yet officially been assigned a cause of death.
Ranger Dalzell came from Bangor in County Down, Northern Ireland.
His parents, Gordon and Susan, said: "David was a loving and caring son and he was very proud to be a soldier. We are very proud of David as a son and he leaves behind a void that will never be filled.
"He will be missed by his brothers Gareth, Mark and Stewart and sisters Kelly, Catherine and Rachael."
Lieutenant Colonel Colin Weir MBE, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment, said: "Ranger David Dalzell was an extraordinary young man and despite his relatively short time in the Army he was already much loved by his fellow soldiers.
"He took to the field of battle like a natural; he was perfectly at home in the most difficult and dangerous of circumstances and his bravery never wavered under fire.
"He cheerfully carried the heaviest kit, over the most difficult terrain, in the most dangerous place in Helmand and when the time would come to fight he was fierce."
A "fearless" British soldier was killed in an operational accident in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.
Ranger David Dalzell, 20, of 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment, died on Friday while serving in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand.
Details of the accident will be heard during an inquest, the Ministry of Defence said.
A total of 352 UK military personnel have now died since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001, including 42 who have died as a result of accidents, illness, non-combat injuries or who have not yet officially been assigned a cause of death.
Ranger Dalzell came from Bangor in County Down, Northern Ireland.
His parents, Gordon and Susan, said: "David was a loving and caring son and he was very proud to be a soldier. We are very proud of David as a son and he leaves behind a void that will never be filled.
"He will be missed by his brothers Gareth, Mark and Stewart and sisters Kelly, Catherine and Rachael."
Lieutenant Colonel Colin Weir MBE, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment, said: "Ranger David Dalzell was an extraordinary young man and despite his relatively short time in the Army he was already much loved by his fellow soldiers.
"He took to the field of battle like a natural; he was perfectly at home in the most difficult and dangerous of circumstances and his bravery never wavered under fire.
"He cheerfully carried the heaviest kit, over the most difficult terrain, in the most dangerous place in Helmand and when the time would come to fight he was fierce."