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Brecon Beacons walker tells of SAS soldier 'in distress' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A walker has described seeing one of a group of soldiers making a plea for water on the day two reservists died during SAS selection training in the Brecon Beacons. | |
David Capstick said one soldier seemed to be "in distress". | |
The family of L/Corp Craig Roberts, 24, from Penrhyn Bay, Conwy, said he had died "in the pursuit of his dream". | |
Another soldier died and one is seriously ill after six collapsed on the hottest day of the year in Wales. | |
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond says there will be a "full service inquiry" into the deaths in Powys. | |
Mr Capstick described how he was walking in the Brecon Beacons last Saturday when he was passed by a string of soldiers moving in the opposite direction at five or 10-minute intervals. | |
"We then came across two soldiers who had clearly broken that intended mode of operation and were proceeding slowly together, and one of the soldiers made a compassionate plea for some drinking water for his colleague," he said. | "We then came across two soldiers who had clearly broken that intended mode of operation and were proceeding slowly together, and one of the soldiers made a compassionate plea for some drinking water for his colleague," he said. |
He told Channel 4 News the second soldier "did seem to be in distress". | |
"He was upset. The other soldier was trying to make the best of the situation and asked if we could spare any water for his colleague, not for himself." | "He was upset. The other soldier was trying to make the best of the situation and asked if we could spare any water for his colleague, not for himself." |
Mr Capstick added that it "certainly was slightly odd" that the two soldiers in particular had bunched together and were "clearly in distress." | Mr Capstick added that it "certainly was slightly odd" that the two soldiers in particular had bunched together and were "clearly in distress." |
In a statement issued through the Ministry of Defence, Mr Roberts's father Kelvin said: "We are all devastated at the loss of our beloved Craig; this has left a massive hole in all our lives." | |
He said he had died "in the pursuit of his dream". | |
He lived in London and was a maths teacher in Lewisham. | He lived in London and was a maths teacher in Lewisham. |
Linda Groom, a Penrhyn Bay councillor, said local people were "devastated" by the loss of a "popular young man". | |
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. |
Ms Groom said Mr Roberts was a popular, well-known man and "the youngsters are particularly devastated" at the "loss of one of their friends". | Ms 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. |
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. |