An investigation is ongoing into the death of a Suffolk man in Baghdad

A coroner’s court heard an inquest is ongoing into the death of a Bardwell man who died in Iraq in 2021.

The inquest into the death of Todd McCulloch, from Bardwell, west Suffolk, was suspended at Suffolk Coroners’ Court in Ipswich on Friday.

Mr McCulloch was working as a close security officer for the Australian Embassy in the capital Baghdad when he died on December 15, 2021, aged 30.

The court heard Mr McCulloch and a colleague were in the loading area of ​​the Australian Diplomatic Support Center on the day of his death. The pair conducted security checks on the firearms used there.

After carrying out these checks, Mr McCulloch’s colleague, who was standing next to him, heard a loud bang. He turned around and saw that Mr. McCulloch had fallen to the ground. The court heard a handgun was found next to him.

Mr. McCulloch was transported by ambulance to Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center Hospital but died as a result of his injuries.

The court heard Suffolk Police have launched an investigation.

A preliminary examination is expected to take place on November 19th.