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SAS training deaths: Soldiers carried 49lb backpacks on march through Brecon Beacons SAS training deaths: Family of dead soldier 'told it was too much paperwork' to change timing of march through Brecon Beacons because of heat
(about 1 hour later)
Three soldiers who died during SAS selection exercises in the Brecon Beacons had been marching with 49lb (22kg) backpacks on one of the hottest days of the year, an inquest has heard. Relatives of a young soldier who died during SAS selection exercises in the Brecon Beacons were told that it would have been "too much paperwork" to cancel the march because of the heat, an inquest has heard.
Army reservists Lance Corporal Edward Maher, Lance Corporal Craig Roberts and Corporal James Dunsby were among 78 soldiers training on South Wales’s highest peak, Pen Y Fan, on 13 July 2013. An unnamed Army officer is alleged to have made the remark to the family of Lance Corporal Craig Roberts shortly after they had viewed his body in a mortuary.
L/Cpl Roberts, 24, from Conwy, died on the mountainside, while L/Cpl Maher and Cpl Dunsby, both 31, died later in hospital. Corporal James Dunsby, who died aged 31 after an SAS training exercise in 2013 The 24-year-old was one of three soldiers who died after marching with 49lb (22kg) backpacks on one of the hottest days of the year in 2013. Lance Corporal Craig Roberts, who died aged 24 after an SAS exercise in the Brecon Beacons in 2013
Cpl Dunsby’s wife Bryher Dunsby said her husband, who had served with the Household Cavalry in Afghanistan, was “exceptionally fit” and a trained medic. The reservists were in a group of 78 troops training for the elite unit on South Wales’s highest peak, Pen Y Fan, on 13 July.
“I have to do right by him,” she said while giving evidence at the inquest. The widow of Cpl James Dunsby, Bryher Dunsby (centre), arriving at Solihull Council offices for the inquest on Monday L/Cpl Roberts, from Conwy, died on the mountainside, while Lance Corporal Edward Maher and Corporal James Dunsby, both 31, died later in hospital.
In a family statement read to the hearing by her lawyer, L/Cpl Roberts' mother Margaret questioned why her son was ever “sent up there in that heat”.
In their statement, family members said they asked a commanding officer whether the timing of the march could have been changed while visiting a hospital in South Wales. Corporal James Dunsby, who died aged 31 after an SAS training exercise in 2013
“He replied 'There would be too much paperwork',” the statement added.
“We were so angry with this answer. We were being told that the march wasn't cancelled to save on paperwork.”
Opening the inquest today, Louise Hunt, the senior coroner for Birmingham and Solihull, said it would bring the “full facts” to light and expose any “culpability and discreditable conduct”Opening the inquest today, Louise Hunt, the senior coroner for Birmingham and Solihull, said it would bring the “full facts” to light and expose any “culpability and discreditable conduct”
“Those that lost a relative will at least have satisfaction of knowing any lessons learned from the death may save the lives of others,” she added. Lance Corporal Edward Maher, who died aged 31 after an SAS training exercise in 2013“Those that lost a relative will at least have satisfaction of knowing any lessons learned from the death may save the lives of others,” she added. Lance Corporal Edward Maher, who died aged 31 after an SAS training exercise in 2013
Ms Hunt said the test march was over 16.4 miles and required candidates to carry rucksacks weighing 49lb, not including food and water, on a day forecast to reach 27C.Ms Hunt said the test march was over 16.4 miles and required candidates to carry rucksacks weighing 49lb, not including food and water, on a day forecast to reach 27C.
Concerns were raised for the three men who died as they became unwell, she added, and the inquest will examine whether the exercise should have been aborted or changed in light of the conditions, and how quickly the soldiers got medical help. Lance Corporal Craig Roberts, who died aged 24 after an SAS exercise in the Brecon Beacons in 2013 Concerns were raised for the three men who died as they became unwell, she added, and the inquest will examine whether the exercise should have been aborted or changed in light of the conditions, and how quickly the soldiers got medical help.
The inquest was due to take place at the end of last year but was delayed for eight months while the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) reviewed its decision not to bring charges of gross negligence manslaughter in the case. Cpl Dunsby’s wife Bryher Dunsby said her husband, who had served with the Household Cavalry in Afghanistan, was “exceptionally fit” and a trained medic. The widow of Cpl James Dunsby, Bryher Dunsby (centre), arriving at Solihull Council offices for the inquest on Monday
“I have to do right by him,” she said while giving evidence at the inquest.
It was due to take place at the end of last year but was delayed for eight months while the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) reviewed its decision not to bring charges of gross negligence manslaughter in the case.
The CPS has since found that its original decision not to prosecute was correct.The CPS has since found that its original decision not to prosecute was correct.
Additional reporting by PAAdditional reporting by PA