Soldiers were expected to cover almost 30km or 18.5 miles within a target time of eight hours 45 minutes while carrying a bergen and a backpack, weighing between 22 and 27kg, as well as a dummy rifle. SAS training deaths inquest: Bureaucracy blamed for failure to cancel march in scorching heat that led to the deaths of three reservists. If there was a shortage of aircraft on this tragic day it underlines my serious concern about the cuts in our armed forces and civilian rescue helicopters.”, An MoD spokesman denied there was a lack of helicopters, adding: “Air rescue cover is available 24 hours a day across the country.”, Announcing a full investigation into the deaths last week, Mr Hammond pledged: “We will make sure any ­lessons that need to be drawn are drawn and any actions that need to be taken are taken.”. order back issues and use the historic Daily Express We rely on advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism. L/Cpl Roberts passed a drill at the penultimate check point but was later found unconscious less than a mile from the finish by another candidate. There have been a least 12 that I know of ­personally. A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman said: "Any decision to prosecute any personnel, veteran or serving, is made by the Service Prosecution Authority, an independent body.". The SAS trainer we spoke to ­criticised the Ministry of Defence for cutting the number of military helicopters available to rescue those who get into difficulty. Corporal James Dunsby later died in hospital after he also collapsed on the Welsh mountain range in near 30C temperatures. Thirty-seven reservists and 41 regular troops took part in the exercise, which was part of the aptitude phase for selection of an elite military unit. The SPA initially decided not to charge the pair but relatives of the soldiers who died asked for case to be reviewed. Lance Corporals Edward Maher and Craig Roberts were pronounced dead in a drill on Brecon Beacons after suffering heatstroke in July 2013. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, A Great Western Air Ambulance based in Bristol reached the scene in minutes but the officer added: “We should not be forced to rely on a charity to rescue anyone in trouble.”, The nearest official Sea King helicopter was based in Anglesey, 150 miles away. A post-mortem examination ruled his death was caused as a result of the effects of hyperthermia. Coroner Louise Hunt also criticised the "failure to implement an adequate medical plan to allow for treatment of any heat illness casualties" and the insufficient water provided to those taking part in the exercise. They were taking part in the aptitude-training element of the course, said to have a one-in-10 pass rate. “As for serious injuries, we’ve had it all, from broken backs to head and neck fractures. “These guys are wearing heavy kit and carrying a heavy Bergen [backpack]. Prosecuting, Louis Mably QC told the court martial that the men, then an Army captain and Warrant Officer, had "lost control" of the exercise in which soldiers marched for 16 miles. From left: Lance Corporal Craig Roberts, Lance Corporal Edward Maher and Corporal James Dunsby. Two special forces soldiers have been charged with negligence over the deaths of three recruits during an SAS training exercise in the Brecon Beacons. SAS march on which three men died 'went ahead to avoid paperwork' Published: 1 Jun 2015 SAS training deaths: soldier tells inquest he was denied hospital treatment "He was sitting upright with his Bergen on, with a half full bottle of water in one hand and a half eaten chocolate bar in the other," Mr Mably said. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. The Service Prosecution Authority (SPA) confirmed a charge of negligent performance of duty had been brought against a training officer and a chief instructor involved. A coroner ruled their deaths were caused partly by neglect. An inquest in 2015 heard planning of the 16-mile march had been "inadequate" and weather conditions were not taken into account in the risk assessment. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Three others had to be evacuated to Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil, one in a critical condition. Those who voluntarily withdrew from the march, or were withdrawn on medical grounds faced being failed, which provided an incentive to "keep on going", Mr Mably said. We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. The chief instructor has since left the SAS but the training officer continues to serve. L/Cpl Maher was discovered at 4.55pm. newspaper archive. Two SAS instructors "lost control" of a training exercise which left three reservists dead on the hottest day of the year, a court martial heard. Two SAS instructors "lost control" of a training exercise which left three reservists dead on the hottest day of the year, a court martial heard. Last year the Health and Safety Executive reprimanded the MoD with an official censure - the highest action possible in the circumstances - over the soldiers' death. In 1979 Major Mike Kealy died of hypothermia on the Brecon Beacons after replacing cold weather clothing with bricks to increase the weight of his backpack. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. SAS recruitment deaths: Two soldiers charged with negligence after three recruits died during Brecon Beacon exercise Two charged over deaths of three soldiers in SAS training … Lance Corporals Craig Roberts and Edward Maher and Corporal James Dunsby died after collapsing as they marched in temperatures of more than 31C on the hottest day of 2013. 21 July 2013. Cpl Dunsby, 34, from Trowbridge in Wiltshire, died of multiple organ failure two weeks later in hospital. "It was two hours and 38 minutes since he had left the check point at 1.22pm," he said. They have not been named and will be known only as 1A and 1B during their trial. Express. The court heard L/Cpl Maher was identified as a "slow-moving candidate" at 4.10pm, having reached the penultimate check point at 1.22pm. At 4.10pm, Cpl Dunsby was noticed to be static, having left his penultimate check point at 2.51pm. Cpl Dunsby died in hospital on July 30, 17 days after the drill. L/Cpl Roberts was pronounced dead at 5.10pm, with his cause of death later found to be hypothermia. The soldiers died of heat exhaustion on an SAS training march in the Brecon Beacons, Two charged over deaths of three soldiers in SAS training exercise, ruled their deaths were caused partly by neglect, SAS training deaths inquest: Lance Corporal Edward Maher 'found dead, SAS training deaths: Family of dead soldier 'told it was too much, SAS inquest: Deaths of three soldiers down to a catalogue of 'gross, planning of the 16-mile march had been "inadequate", reprimanded the MoD with an official censure. She said the three men would have survived if given "basic treatment" of cooling, hydration, rest, and the removal of their kit.

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