War photographer captures last second of her life as mortar explodes

A war photographer has captured the final moment of her life in a photograph that shows a mortar bomb exploding in Afghanistan.

US Army Specialist Hilda Clayton, who was assigned as a photographer to cover a live-training exercise in Qaraghahi in 2013, was killed along three Afghan soldiers when a bomb accidentally exploded.

The photos taken by the 22-year-old, who was killed instantly, have been now published in the Army University Press after her family provided permission for their release.

An Afghan photographer who was training with Ms Clayton was also killed in the blast.  

Ms Clayton has been remembered by the US army with an annual award for best combat camera work named in her honour.

"Not only did Clayton help document activities aimed at shaping and strengthening the partnership, but she also shared in the risk by participating in the effort," the Army journal said.

The war photographers' primary mission is to accompany combat soldiers wherever they are deployed to help document the history of combat operations.

Ms Clayton’s death was the first fatality of an Army combat documentation member in Afghanistan.