A SOLDIER killed in a canoeing accident while serving in Cyprus is being repatriated to RAF Brize Norton on Thursday.

Private Jamie Sawyer of 2nd Battalion, the Mercian Regiment Battlegroup, died on March 12 in what the Ministry of Defence called a "tragic and fatal accident."

The 20-year-old, from Birmingham, was deployed on a United Nations peacekeeping tour and had been training in the Mediterranean Sea.

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The aircraft will land at about 1.30pm on Thursday and it is estimated that the cortege will pass the Memorial Garden between 3.30pm and 4pm.

The cortege is expected to arrive at the John Radcliffe Hospital between 4.30pm and 5pm.

Norton Way will be closed from 1.30pm, while Station Road, Brize Norton, will be closed for about 10 minutes once the cortege leaves Britannia Gate at RAF Brize Norton.

Road closures will be in place at the Marston Ferry Road, Cherwell Drive Junction, Marston Road and at the mini roundabout by the entrance to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Oxfordshire County Council said drivers should expect severe delays in the area whilst the road closures are in operation.