Father who killed children was survivor of IRA attack

Tuesday 2 October 2012

A former army sergeant who survived a devastating IRA bomb blast in London's Hyde Park 30 years has been found dead in his car, with his young children

BLAST: Michael Pedersen was on Sefton when the IRA targeted the Household Cavalry in 1982. Picture: PA

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Michael Pedersen, 51, his son Ben, seven, and Freya, six, were found next to a Saab convertible car in a tiny lane at Newton Stacey, near Andover, Hampshire. He is thought to have stabbed them before killing himself.

Mr Pedersen was the rider of Sefton, who was seriously injured in the nail bomb attack on the Household Cavalry in 1982. The horse, which suffered 34 separate wounds, became a symbol of Britain's determination to beat the terrorist group after overcoming horrendous injuries and he later picked up an award on its behalf.Four soldiers and seven horses were killed in the explosion.Mr Pedersen, who was estranged from his wife Erica and the mother of his two children, had failed to return with the children at the arranged time of 5pm on Sunday, when she phoned the police.Their maternal grandfather, William Clifford, 67, said: "We are obviously devastated and what we would ask is that you respect our privacy in this matter. It is extremely distressing and that is all I want to say."Detective Superintendent Tony Harris, of Hampshire police, said the tragic incident happened during a visit to Mr Pedersen's father during an arranged visit with his children from his estranged wife.Mr Harris said Surrey Police were considering referring the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission because of some previous contact with Mr Pedersen.Describing the incident, he added: "Any scene you go to with children involved is distressing for the officers. We have given them support and they continue to receive support."It's a dreadful loss of life, one of the most tragic cases I have had to deal with."

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Father who killed children was survivor of IRA attack

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