Royal Marine recruit who died after exercise on Cornish beach was 'fulfilling his dream'

The family of a Royal Marine recruit from Somerset who died following a training exercise on a Cornish beach has said he died "fulfilling his dream".

• Royal Marine recruit dies after training incident in Cornwall

• Royal Marine fighting for his life after incident on Tregantle Beach

Ethan Jones, who lived in Radstock, went underwater during an exercise on Tregantle Beach on Tuesday 21 January.

He was in a critical condition in Plymouth's Derriford Hospital but died days later, on Saturday 25 January.

A Royal Navy Spokesperson said:

Rct Jones has been described as an "outdoorsman looking for adventure and the opportunity to serve his country".

He joined the Royal Marines in May 2019 and was in the last phase of his training.

His family has said their loved one "died fulfilling his dream and doing something he loved."

They said: "Joining the Royal Marines was something Ethan had wanted to do for as long as we can remember. He wanted to join the best of the best and challenge himself."

Ethan's Section Commander, Corporal Dave Wright, said he held "a special position within 282 troop".

He continued: "During an exercise, the Troop were fatigued, yet Jones took it upon himself to place his equipment down at the top of a hill, go back down and carry the kit of a fellow recruit who was struggling with an injury.

"He is a true loss to the Royal Marines and he would have inevitably achieved much within his career. Recruit Jones was the embodiment of what a Commando should be."

Fellow recruit Daniel Landrey said Ethan was "our best mate" and said: "When he didn't have a pasty in his hand, he was getting the job done."