British Soldier Dies In Cyprus Moped Crash

NICOSIA, Sept 25 (AFP) - A 20-year-old British soldier based on Cyprus died early Saturday when his moped crashed off the road into some trees in the southern coastal resort of Ayia Napa, police said.
"At around 6:15 this morning (0315 GMT) the driver of the motorbike veered off the road in Ayia Napa, hitting a hedge row and trees which sent him flying on impact. He died of his injuries," a police spokesman said.
The circumstances of the crash are not yet fully known.
The spokesman said investigators found a crash helmet at the scene but did not rule out the possibility it may not have been strapped on properly or was not worn.
The soldier's identity has not been released until next of kin are informed.
He was serving with the Royal Highland Fusiliers stationed at the British military base of Episkopi near the southern town of Limassol, some 80 kilometres from Ayia Napa.
Around 10,000 British soldiers and their dependents are stationed on the island, where Britain retains two Sovereign Base Areas since Cyprus gained independence from Britain in 1960.