Soldier Uses Body to Shield Comrades from Grenade and Survives

Lance Corporal David Croucher, a Royal Marine, was on patrol in Afghanistan when he accidentally set off a rigged grenade. In a fraction of a second he threw himself on top of the grenade and turned on his side, protecting his comrades from the blast. A backpack and his body armor were the only things protecting him. Thanks to the 24-year-old’s armor and backpack, he survived. His only injury was the burst of blood vessels in his nose due to the shockwave of the explosion.

The British soldier’s life was saved by his backpack and lithium battery for his communication equipment. “I knew a grenade like this has a killing circumference of about five meters. The lads behind me would have caught a lot too. I’m very tight with the other three guys. There have been a few times when they’ve saved my bacon. So I went down next to the grenade. I figured that if I could keep my torso and head intact I’d probably survive any other injuries — although I fully expected to lose a limb,” he explains.

His actions of bravery and sacrifice have caused him to be nominated for the Victoria Cross, the British army’s highest award for bravery.