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Beacons walker tells of SAS training soldier distress | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A walker said he encountered soldiers making a plea for water on the day two reservists died during SAS selection training in the Brecon Beacons. | |
David Capstick was walking in the mid Wales national park Saturday when he met the soldiers in a distressed state. | |
Relatives of L/Corp Craig Roberts, 24, from Penrhyn Bay, Conwy, paid tribute saying he had died "in the pursuit of his dream". | |
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond announced a full inquiry. | |
Speaking to Channel 4 news, Mr Capstick described how he was walking in the Beacons when he was passed by a line 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 was upset," he added. "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." | 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 said he had died "in the pursuit of his dream". |
Mr Roberts, who worked as a maths teacher in London, 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. |
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. |