Karl Wood, who was snorkelling near a tourist boat off Ladies Mile Beach, was run over by a military speedboat on routine patrol.

A Sheffield inquest heard the boat driver, Corporal Paul Craig of 417 Maritime Troop, saw Mr Wood at the last second and swerved, but the propeller sliced a deep wound into his leg.

They immediately doubled back and Mr Wood, aged 40, told the second man in the boat, Cpl Mark Titchener, his name and that he was English. He then said he could not see and lost consciousness.

Lt Col Nicholas Clarke told the inquest the pair tried to pull Mr Wood - who weighed 20 stone - aboard but were unable to until a crew member from tourist boat the Sailaway dived into the sea to help.

Col Clarke said: "Although there was a large amount of blood round the victim, only when he was hauled aboard were the extent of his injuries apparent. Then a Mayday broadcast was sent for a life-threatening emergency."

But when no response was received the soldiers, who both had mobile phones, headed to the shore to use a restaurant landline. They made an emergency call just four minutes later.

But the inquest heard they then launched the speedboat again to rendezvous with another boat, unaware that a helicopter with a trained medic aboard had been scrambled - it arrived less than three minutes after their departure. At the same time an ambulance was on its way from Akrotiri medical centre.

Col Clarke said: "Corporal Paul was not aware that his broadcasts had been received and he was thinking, presumably, 'I have got to get help'."

He added: "Certainly if Cpl Paul had stayed on the beach the victim would have met up with the helicopter sooner."

Instead the speedboat took Mr Wood to a harbour two miles away.

On arrival Mr Wood was not breathing and had no pulse. A short time later the helicopter and another ambulance arrived, but he was officially declared dead soon after.

Mr Wood, of Ravensmead Court, Bolton-on-Dearne, was a divorced dad of two with a teenage son and daughter. He was holidaying with his girlfriend Lynn Woodward when he died.

Barrister Richard Burns, who represents the children, said the Ministry of Defence had settled a claim for damages within the last two weeks.

Cpl Park and Cpl Titchener were charged with reckless navigation by the Army following the incident in April 2005.

They were both acquitted of all charges and have returned to duty, he added.

Deputy coroner Judith Naylor adjourned the inquest until May 21 when a three-day hearing is scheduled to be heard at Sheffield Crown Court.

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