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'Full service inquiry' into Brecon Beacons soldier deaths | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Defence Secretary Phillip Hammond says there will be a "full service inquiry" into the deaths of two reservist soldiers during SAS selection training in the Brecon Beacons in Powys. | |
L/Corp Craig Roberts, 24, from Penrhyn Bay, Conwy, and a colleague died on the hottest day of the year in Wales. | |
It is thought six soldiers collapsed during Saturday's exercise, and one remains seriously ill. | |
Mr Hammond said he wanted to see if lessons could be learnt. | |
The defence secretary told BBC News there would be "full service inquiry" into the deaths when the police investigation. | |
He said the UK government's thoughts were with the families of those who died and in hospital, and that it would be inappropriate to comment while a police inquiry was ongoing. | |
But Mr Hammond said there would be an internal investigation after that to find out what happened. | |
He added: "We will want to investigate fully and understand exactly what happened and to see if there are any lessons to be learnt." | |
His comments came as tributes continued to be paid to L/Corp Roberts. | |
Linda Groom, a Penrhyn Bay councillor, said local people were "devastated" by the loss of "popular young man" Mr Roberts. | |
He lived in London and was a maths teacher in Lewisham. | |
He had served with the Territorial Army (TA) for more than five years and was a member of the 3rd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment. | He had served with the Territorial Army (TA) for more than five years and was a member of the 3rd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment. |
It is believed he served as a reservist in Iraq and Afghanistan, and had taken part in several exercises, including a training mission in Texas with the American National Guard. | It is believed he served as a reservist in Iraq and Afghanistan, and had taken part in several exercises, including a training mission in Texas with the American National Guard. |
He had taken part in a four-week trial for the TA SAS reservists ending in a 40-mile (64km) hike over the Brecon Beacons. | He had taken part in a four-week trial for the TA SAS reservists ending in a 40-mile (64km) hike over the Brecon Beacons. |
It would have been a supervised exercise, but it is likely it would have involved the soldiers acting on their own. | It would have been a supervised exercise, but it is likely it would have involved the soldiers acting on their own. |
It is thought six soldiers collapsed on Saturday. A second soldier, who has not been publicly identified, also died and a third is seriously ill. | It is thought six soldiers collapsed on Saturday. A second soldier, who has not been publicly identified, also died and a third is seriously ill. |
Cllr Linda Groom said Mr Roberts was a popular, well-known man and "the youngsters are particularly devastated" at the "loss of one of their friends". | Cllr Linda Groom said Mr Roberts was a popular, well-known man and "the youngsters are particularly devastated" at the "loss of one of their friends". |
She added: "He obviously was a young man of a high calibre who wanted not only to better himself, but to look after the interests of the public, because he was obviously looking to go into the SAS, which is the highest service". | She added: "He obviously was a young man of a high calibre who wanted not only to better himself, but to look after the interests of the public, because he was obviously looking to go into the SAS, which is the highest service". |
She said that "if anybody could do anything to help this family at this very very sad time, we'd all be willing to do what we could to help them". | She said that "if anybody could do anything to help this family at this very very sad time, we'd all be willing to do what we could to help them". |
Mr Roberts' father Kelvin, 53, and mother Margaret, 54, were said to be "heartbroken" by his death. | Mr Roberts' father Kelvin, 53, and mother Margaret, 54, were said to be "heartbroken" by his death. |
L/Cpl Roberts was described as being "the salt of the earth" by one friend, who added that the soldier was "extremely dedicated". | L/Cpl Roberts was described as being "the salt of the earth" by one friend, who added that the soldier was "extremely dedicated". |
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said he understood the deaths occurred after the SAS training and preparation phase, right at the start of the selection phase. | BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said he understood the deaths occurred after the SAS training and preparation phase, right at the start of the selection phase. |
He also understood there were extra water supplies available in the area, in addition to the water the men were carrying. | He also understood there were extra water supplies available in the area, in addition to the water the men were carrying. |
In a statement, the MoD said its "thoughts are with their families and friends at this difficult time". | In a statement, the MoD said its "thoughts are with their families and friends at this difficult time". |
The Brecon Beacons is home to the Infantry Battle School and makes up one of Britain's largest military training areas. | The Brecon Beacons is home to the Infantry Battle School and makes up one of Britain's largest military training areas. |
The deaths occurred on the hottest day of the year so far in Wales, with temperatures reaching 30C (86F) in Powys. | The deaths occurred on the hottest day of the year so far in Wales, with temperatures reaching 30C (86F) in Powys. |
Phil Speck, who was walking in the Beacons on Saturday, said he saw some soldiers struggling in the heat, and some "were clearly tired and exhausted". | Phil Speck, who was walking in the Beacons on Saturday, said he saw some soldiers struggling in the heat, and some "were clearly tired and exhausted". |
The MoD said it was working with Dyfed-Powys Police to investigate the incident. | The MoD said it was working with Dyfed-Powys Police to investigate the incident. |
A spokesman on Monday said there are no plans to change "routine exercises". |