An inquest has been opened into the death of the British paratrooper killed by stone-throwing youths in Macedonia.

Sapper Ian Collins, 22, of 9 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers, was driving a Land Rover when he was hit by a block of concrete as he passed through a western suburb of Skopje.

South Yorkshire East Coroner Stanley Hooper read a letter from the army which briefly outlined the events leading up to Sapper Collins's death.

The hearing, at Rotherham Coroner's Court, was told the death was being investigated by British military police and the local authorities.

'Significant injuries'

In the letter, commanding officer with the Royal Engineers, Lieutenant Colonel A.C. Sheppard, said: "He (Sapper Collins) was driving a military Land Rover westbound on the road to Skopje that was hit by an object thrown at the vehicle by a group of youths.

"The object hit Sapper Collins on the head causing significant injuries."

He was taken to the University Hospital in Skopje but died from his injuries.

The soldier's father, Kevin Collins, 44, of Kiveton Park, Sheffield, attended the hearing and confirmed his son's personal details.

'Terrible waste'

Mr Hooper adjourned the inquest and released the body for burial.

The funeral, with full military honours, is due to take place at a later date in Sapper Collins's home city of Sheffield.

His death, on 27 August, came on the first day of the Nato-led weapon-gathering mission in Macedonia.

At the time, the paratrooper's father described his son's death as a "terrible waste" and questioned the policy of sending British troops to Macedonia.