A BRITISH hurt locker hero has been killed in an explosion on Ukraine’s frontline.
Brave Chris Garrett, 40, was catastrophically wounded yesterday trying to clear minefields in Izyum, near Kharkiv.
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The bomb disposal expert – once dubbed public enemy number one by Russia, spent the war risking his life to help secure Ukraine’s path to victory.
From the moment Russia invaded in February 2022 he dedicated himself to blowing up thousands of artillery shells and live ammunition dumped by Vladimir Putin’s retreating troops.
His pal and former prisoner of war Shaun Piner said: “It has now been confirmed that two of the three critically injured individuals have sadly passed away.
“I can confirm that Chris was among those who died. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected.
“We deeply appreciate all the support during this difficult time.
“We will share further updates as soon as we coordinate with the investigation teams over the next 48hrs.
“We can’t and will not comment during an ongoing investigation. Please be patient.”
Courageous Chris, known to pals as Swampy because of his past life as a tree surgeon, jetted to Ukraine four days after Russia’s botched invasion began on February 24.
He was among the first into the massacred towns of Bucha and Irpin and worked round the clock in the wake of the Battle for Hostomel Airport at the start of the war.
The former tree surgeon, from the Isle of Man, was the chairman and founder of Prevail.
In an interview with The Sun in Mykolaiv he said: “I’m much more comfortable being on the front or close to it where I can switch off and just get on with the task.
“My job will be about preserving life, not taking it.
“Since the war started we’ve gone in after the fighting and blown up between 6-10 tonnes of artillery shells at a time every single day.
“This time we’re pushing into a grey zone where there are more risks and we may end up helping to clear routes in or areas they’ve literally just moved into.
“In places like Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel and Kyiv, the volume of unexploded munitions was off the scale.
“I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.”
There are now 138 demining teams – well over 500 men – operating across Ukraine.
A number of international companies and volunteers, including Brit ChrisGarrett and The Halo Trust, are also deployed.
Their work is vital to Ukraine and its war effort.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, a total of 76 people have been killed by mines in this region and a further 216 injured.
Eight sappers have also been killed and 40 more wounded trying to clear them.