AN elite soldier who died fighting Islamic State in Syria was killed by friendly fire, an inquiry has found.

Sergeant Matt Tonroe, 33, died last year alongside US commando Master Sergeant Jonathan J Dunbar.

Sgt Tonroe was working as part of a joint operation with American special forces.

In a statement released following the incident in March last year, The Pentagon blamed their deaths on an improvised explosive device. 

But an investigation into the blast concluded Sgt Tonroe was killed by an explosive carried by a colleague.

The proven soldiers died in an explosion in Manbij, northern Syria.

Sgt Tonroe joined the army in 2004, serving in the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regimant in Colchester.

He served as part of the Sniper Platoon before passing selection for the Special Air Services Regiment.

He was later embedded in Seal Team 6, the unit responsible for killing Osama Bin Laden.

Investigators could not rule out the possibility that a grenade carried by another coalition soldier killed both men, according to The Morning Star newspaper.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "Sergeant Matt Tonroe died from blast injuries caused by an explosion during a military operation.

"It was initially believed that Sgt Tonroe was killed by enemy action, however subsequent investigation concluded that Sgt Tonroe was killed by the accidental detonation of explosives carried by coalition forces.

"Our thoughts continue to be with Sgt Tonroe's family and friends."

Sgt Tonroe was the only British soldier killed in active duty during operations against IS.