Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales was brought to a halt on Thursday as over 500 people turned out for the funeral of Lance Corporal Lee Foley who died in a horrific car crash on New Years Eve after being mown down by a taxi.
He had been on leave from his regiment at the time of the car accident which happened at 10.10pm. The taxi was a black Vauxhall Astra estate. He received treatment on the spot from paramedics and was taken to hospital where later he died from his injuries.
Lee Foley had served in Afghanistan as a member of the Royal Engineers 22 Regiment where he had played a key role over the last three years. His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Jason Kerr said at the funeral that it had been a pleasure to have Lee under his charge. He described how Foley understood the fundamentals of being a soldier, adding that he always maintained high standards of discipline and was always courteous and professional. In particular, he said, “he had a humility that endeared him to all that worked with him.”
Lance Corporal Lee Foley joined the Royal Engineers in 2006. In 2008 he was assigned to 5 Armoured Engineer Squadron at Perham Down and subsequently he had a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.
His death was the second fatal accident in the vicinity for a serving soldier in the same week. Edward Heal of the King’s Royal Hussars was hit and killed by a car on Christmas Day.