TA soldier drowns in lake during best friend's stag weekend

Graeme Hartis: The 28-year-old died while swimming.Deadline

An Afghan veteran has drowned in a lake during his best friend’s stag weekend.

Graeme Hartis, who was due to be best man at the wedding, lost his life while swimming in a lake in Slovakia.

The 28-year-old's death is believed to have been witnessed by the groom, fellow soldier Mark McLean.

The Territorial Army soldier, from Glenrothes, Fife, had served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Lance Corporal with the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers was due to go on his second tour of Afghanistan later this year.

The accident happened in Strkovec Lake, in the suburbs of the capital, Bratislava, on Saturday.

Mr Hartis, who had organised the stag trip, disappeared from sight while swimming.

An Army spokeswoman said they would be providing support for family and friends at what she called a "terribly sad time".

She said: "It is with great sadness that we heard of the death of Lance Corporal Hartis. This must have come as an immense shock to his friends, family and colleagues in the Royal Engineers and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this terribly sad time.

"We will, of course, be providing full pastoral and welfare support to his family as and when they require it and the regimental family will be there for them also."

Mr Hartis also worked as a driver with Driver Hire Group Services Ltd and with the Montgomery Hotel Group as a barman.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said they were helping Mr Hartis’ family.

She said: "We can confirm the death of a British national in Bratislava on June 23. We are providing consular assistance."

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