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Jason Smith's officer fights back tears as inquest told of heatstroke death Jason Smith's officer fights back tears as inquest told of heatstroke death
(1 day later)
An army officer fought back tears as he described how a reservist soldier died of heatstroke while under his command in Iraq at a new inquest into his death 10 years ago.An army officer fought back tears as he described how a reservist soldier died of heatstroke while under his command in Iraq at a new inquest into his death 10 years ago.
Private Jason Smith, 32, a member of the Territorial Army (TA), had repeatedly told medical staff he was feeling unwell as temperatures soared to more than 50C.Private Jason Smith, 32, a member of the Territorial Army (TA), had repeatedly told medical staff he was feeling unwell as temperatures soared to more than 50C.
But in August 2003 he was found lying face down in an old athletics stadium where he was stationed. He was taken to hospital but suffered a cardiac arrest and could not be saved.But in August 2003 he was found lying face down in an old athletics stadium where he was stationed. He was taken to hospital but suffered a cardiac arrest and could not be saved.
His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Cattermull, told the hearing in Oxford on Monday that the soldiers were too busy and did not have enough resources.His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Cattermull, told the hearing in Oxford on Monday that the soldiers were too busy and did not have enough resources.
The fresh inquest was ordered after the Ministry of Defence failed to disclose important documents before the first hearing.The fresh inquest was ordered after the Ministry of Defence failed to disclose important documents before the first hearing.
Speaking ahead of the new inquest, Smith's mother, Catherine, said she hoped the hearing would establish whether lessons had since been learned. The hearing is being watched carefully by representatives of the three TA soldiers who died in the summer while taking part in an SAS test in the Brecon Beacons as temperatures reached 30C.Speaking ahead of the new inquest, Smith's mother, Catherine, said she hoped the hearing would establish whether lessons had since been learned. The hearing is being watched carefully by representatives of the three TA soldiers who died in the summer while taking part in an SAS test in the Brecon Beacons as temperatures reached 30C.
On the first day of the inquest, Cattermull said the environment his troops were fighting in was "the hardest I have experience in my military career".On the first day of the inquest, Cattermull said the environment his troops were fighting in was "the hardest I have experience in my military career".
Cattermull broke down as he said: "It was extremely hot, we were extremely busy, too busy, and we didn't have enough resources – be that manpower, be that equipment – to do what we were asked to do.Cattermull broke down as he said: "It was extremely hot, we were extremely busy, too busy, and we didn't have enough resources – be that manpower, be that equipment – to do what we were asked to do.
"We had asked for more manpower but we had a mission to do and we were going to do it the best we knew with the resources available. My best resource available, as ever, were my soldiers, who never let me down.""We had asked for more manpower but we had a mission to do and we were going to do it the best we knew with the resources available. My best resource available, as ever, were my soldiers, who never let me down."
Cattermull said Smith's death came in the context of the "relentless tempo of operations, stretched manpower and extreme heat".Cattermull said Smith's death came in the context of the "relentless tempo of operations, stretched manpower and extreme heat".
The inquest heard that one officer had referred to the stadium in southern Iraq as "an unbearable, hot, dusty hellhole".The inquest heard that one officer had referred to the stadium in southern Iraq as "an unbearable, hot, dusty hellhole".
Cattermull explained that the men were forced to drink water mixed with sugar and salt in front of officers to halt dehydration after numerous heat injuries. Equipment to air-condition the stadium arrived two days after Smith had died, the inquest heard.Cattermull explained that the men were forced to drink water mixed with sugar and salt in front of officers to halt dehydration after numerous heat injuries. Equipment to air-condition the stadium arrived two days after Smith had died, the inquest heard.
The officer said that "in retrospect" the fact that one medic was taking care of 100 men was "insufficient", but claimed this had only become apparent after other operations in Afghanistan and Sierra Leone.The officer said that "in retrospect" the fact that one medic was taking care of 100 men was "insufficient", but claimed this had only become apparent after other operations in Afghanistan and Sierra Leone.
He added: "It was hard, very hard indeed. Things were not right – no operation is going to be fully resourced or fully equipped, but we were as good as we were going to be with what we had."He added: "It was hard, very hard indeed. Things were not right – no operation is going to be fully resourced or fully equipped, but we were as good as we were going to be with what we had."
At the original 2006 inquest, Andrew Walker, the assistant deputy coroner for Oxfordshire, recorded that Smith's death was caused "by a serious failure to recognise and take appropriate steps to address the difficulty that he had in adjusting to the climate".At the original 2006 inquest, Andrew Walker, the assistant deputy coroner for Oxfordshire, recorded that Smith's death was caused "by a serious failure to recognise and take appropriate steps to address the difficulty that he had in adjusting to the climate".
Alison Thompson, assistant coroner for Oxfordshire, told Mrs Smith at the start of the new hearing: "It will be tough for you to be here once again at a court of law having to hear this again."Alison Thompson, assistant coroner for Oxfordshire, told Mrs Smith at the start of the new hearing: "It will be tough for you to be here once again at a court of law having to hear this again."
Before the start of the inquest, Mrs Smith said her son, from Hawick in the Scottish Borders, knew he could die on active service and that she accepted this. She said reaching the second inquest had been "long and painful", but added: "My dearest wish is that the inquest will finally give me the truth and bring a glimmer of hope for other families in a similar position."Before the start of the inquest, Mrs Smith said her son, from Hawick in the Scottish Borders, knew he could die on active service and that she accepted this. She said reaching the second inquest had been "long and painful", but added: "My dearest wish is that the inquest will finally give me the truth and bring a glimmer of hope for other families in a similar position."
The inquest continues.The inquest continues.
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