MEDIA DUPED BY ERIC

[davidBarker]

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,3 ... 76,00.html

MEDIA DUPED BY ERIC

The British soldier who was reported to have cheated death in Iraq when his helmet was hit four times by bullets was actually playing a prank, it has emerged.


Commando Eric Walderman was hailed as a miracle survivor after being pictured with bullet holes in his helmet.

Media around the world reported that he had survived a hail of Iraqi bullets.

But The Sun newspaper has reported that Eric was not actually wearing the helmet when it was shot.

The helmet was in fact lying on top of his pack when it was peppered with bullets by fellow Royal Marines trying to hit an unexploded anti-tank weapon, The Sun said.

Eric, 28, then put it on his head and posed for photographers travelling with 40 Commando in southern Iraq.

He gave no interview and the picture was beamed round the world with the story of his "miracle" escape.

The Sun said Eric did nothing to stop the media jumping to the wrong conclusion but the Marines came clean when The Sun sought an update on Eric.

A senior officer told the paper: "I'm afraid the pressmen have been had. All commandos have a great sense of humour. Boys will be boys.

"It will go down in history as a great wheeze."

[rabby]

The guy's an even bigger hero now! Lets face it, he managed to wind up the entire world, no mean feat!
Besides, its aint his fault it went in the paper, the reporter should have done their job properly in the first place to get the truth.

[Guest]

Most people only get 15 minutes of fame, shyte, he`ll be on freemans for the rest of his natural, good effort Royal!!

[para]

I know of him, hes from the town I live (fleetwood, small town next to blackpool).
Spoke to his cousin (a good mate and planning on joining the marines) earlier, who knew all along

He said that the reporter told him to put it on and I'll take a picture, then when it was all blown out of proportion they did nothing to stop it. I wouldnt of neither, pretty funny.

[TaffBoz]

the reporter should have done their job properly in the first place to get the truth.

Since when does that happen?

[cglees]

Nice one!!!

Kept everyone on their toes!