The widow of a British soldier killed in a traffic collision while serving in Cyprus has demanded that a US serviceman involved in the case face prosecution.
In an interview with Sky News, Sally Oxley said that she requested a new UK inquest into her husband’s death and she wants the Cypriot authorities to re-investigate.
Colour Sergeant Anthony Oxley, who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan, died after his motorcycle was involved in a collision with a car at RAF Akrotiri in June 2016.
An inquest in the UK in 2018 recorded a narrative verdict that CSgt Oxley’s death had been caused by multiple blunt force injuries to his head due to the collision.
Sky News reports that a new translation of the proceedings of the Cypriot inquest reveals evidence from the investigating officer that there was “sufficient evidence” to prosecute the other driver “for causing death by reckless/dangerous acts”.
The coroner wrote that, according to the officer, the reason why no criminal charges were brought was “because the person in question was a soldier in the American Air Force and the American authorities had taken over the investigation”.
In his report, the coroner concluded: “There is testimony before me which demonstrates that possibly the actions, acts or omissions of third parties may have led to the death of the deceased.”
Oxley said: “I understand that he’s passed away but he served 21 years for his country. He has a right. It can’t just be shoved under the carpet. You can’t take someone’s life and it just go away,” she expressed, underlining the gravity of seeking justice.
“Let’s get the truth out there. I would like to see him prosecuted. You can’t take a man’s life and be whisked back to America to live your life and leave a family in absolute turmoil,” she added, voicing her yearning for accountability.
The United States Air Force, in a statement to Sky News, outlined its comprehensive probe into Colour Sergeant Oxley’s fatal incident, in collaboration with base authorities. Highlighting the meticulous review by the US Third Air Force commander, the statement detailed the evaluation of various factors, including the shadows on the road, vehicle speeds, and the commonality of accidents involving unseen motorcyclists.
Concluding their investigation, the Air Force deduced that the driver, unaware of the approaching motorcycle, made the turn believing the path was clear. Despite the thorough nature of the investigation, the Air Force extended its “condolences to Colour Sergeant Oxley’s family over this tragic loss of life of our British partner.”
Nearly eight years after the tragic event, CSgt Oxley’s family has only now been made aware of the investigation’s findings, which diverge from the initial investigator’s conclusions. The involved US serviceman exited the military in 2017.
Determined to continue her campaign, Oxley shared her struggles but remained resolute, “There’s been many times I’ve not wanted to get out of bed, I’ve just wanted to quit but I look at a photo and think ‘You wouldn’t give up on me, I’m not going to give up on you’. We’ll see this out.”
The UK Attorney General’s Office confirmed receiving an application from Sally Oxley for a new inquest, stating, “I can confirm that we have received an application from Sally Oxley for permission to apply to the High Court for a fresh inquest and we are considering it.”
