A DECORATED Scots soldier, referred to as “a giant of a man,” has died from his injuries following a horror crash during a training exercise.

Staff Sergeant John McKelvie - known as Jock - died on Monday as a result of injuries sustained during an incident on Tuesday, January 29.

The vehicle he was in flipped over during a training exercise in Catterick, North Yorkshire.

Jock, 51, who was in A Squadron, based in Ayr, sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to James Cook Hospital at Middlesbrough.

A 30-year-old man, the only other occupant in the vehicle, suffered a suspected broken arm. He was taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment.

The Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry said in a statement: “It is with deep sadness that the Regiment must announce the death of SSgt John ‘Jock’ McKelvie who died on Monday, February 4 as a result of injuries sustained during an incident on Tuesday, January 29.

“A giant of a man, he had previously served for a full career with our paired regular regiment, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and had been tested across the spectrum of conflict from the Balkans to Iraq, and never been found wanting.

“Joining the Regiment on its formation in October 2014, he was well-known and respected across it as a dependable, honest, robust and highly capable operator and moreover a mentor to our more junior people.

“The pain we feel regimentally cannot compare to that which his family suffer at this tragic time and our thoughts are with all of them.”

North Yorkshire Police said: “Enquiries are continuing to establish how the collision occurred.”

The Army added: “We can confirm Staff Sergeant McKelvie was fatally injured during a vehicle incident on Catterick Training Area in North Yorkshire on January 29 and unfortunately died of his injuries on February 4.

The incident is currently under investigation, as is standard for fatal vehicle incidents, and it would be inappropriate to comment any further.”