British Soldier Broke Off Birthday Celebrations To Help After Las Vegas Shooting

A group of British soldiers have been commended for bravery for their actions during the Las Vegas massacre.

It has been revealed that one of the soldiers broke off from his birthday celebrations to aid the injured.

Trooper Stuart Finlay was celebrating his 25th birthday with fellow soldiers over the weekend, his father revealed.

But the celebrations were interrupted by tragedy when a concert was attacked by gunman Stephen Paddock, who killed 58 and injured a further 527.

The father of one from Cheshire left the meal he was having with friends near the Nevada strip and encountered the bloodbath, at which point he and two other soldiers rushed to help.

The trio, made up of Finlay, 24-year-old Trooper Ross Woodward, and one other serviceman, are still under Army orders not to discuss the events of the shooting.

However, Finlay’s father shared his son’s story, telling the Press Association:

"He walked out of a place into everything unfolding in front of him.

"There were bodies around them as he was putting pressure on someone that had been shot in the back, then they helped others.

"He said they could hear (the gunfire) from where they were."

The emergency services were held back by the gunfire, and the off duty troops stepped in to help marshal people to safety until they arrived.

Mr Finlay said:

"There wasn't enough ambulances to casualties so they stayed with anyone they could to help and comfort them."

"None of them hesitated ... they just ran into it and did what they could.

"I think the training came instinctively to the lads and (being) the type of people they are in themselves, they put no thoughts to their own safety to help others."

The troops have since been praised by Prime Minister Theresa May, who thanked them for their heroic efforts.

The Welsh Cavalry regiment had been training in California prior to the attack.

Trooper Finlay, who had previously been an Army reservist, left his six month old daughter Amelie to join the exercise abroad.

The group will now return to their camp in California before flying to the UK.

Speaking of the emotional impact that the events had had on his son, Mr Finlay said:

"He said he's OK, but I'm not to sure it's kicked in yet what he saw or did.

"They're all good mates and I think they've had loads of support from the base too."

Initially the Chester-based father was filled with panic about his son's safety when he saw the worst shooting in modern US history unfold on television.

"I was panicking inside fearing the worst and when I couldn't get in touch with him my head was all over the place, once I found out what he did I can't describe the feeling of pride and so much relief.

"It's mad to think my son was one of them there helping and trying to save lives, it's a mad feeling I well up inside when I talk about it and hear things.

"I know it's his job and he loves what he does but I do have such a relief when he's home."