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Soldier tried to push through sickness to finish test march on which three died Soldier tried to push through sickness to finish test march on which three died
(35 minutes later)
A soldier has told an inquest of his determination to complete a special forces test march, during which three men fell ill and died, no matter how terrible he felt. A soldier has told an inquest of his determination to complete a special forces test march, on which three men fell ill and died, no matter how terrible he felt.
The man, identified only as soldier 1X, described how he fell unconscious after suffering from heat illness during the march on the Brecon Beacons in south Wales and was helped by civilian walkers.The man, identified only as soldier 1X, described how he fell unconscious after suffering from heat illness during the march on the Brecon Beacons in south Wales and was helped by civilian walkers.
Soldier 1X said he was a “stubborn individual” who intended to finish the march despite feeling sick and dizzy and not able to sweat. “There are always low points,” he said and added that the point of the training was to push beyond what you thought your limits were. Soldier 1X said he was a “stubborn individual” who intended to finish the march despite feeling sick and dizzy and not able to sweat. “There are always low points,” he said, adding that the point of the training was to push beyond what you thought your limits were.
1X also told the inquest in Solihull, West Midlands, that he tried to look better than he felt when he went through checkpoints staffed by instructors. He said that the usual answer to the question: “Are you OK?” was: “Yes staff” even if you felt dreadful. 1X told the inquest in Solihull, West Midlands, that he tried to look better than he felt when he went through checkpoints staffed by instructors. He said the usual answer to the question: “Are you OK?” was “Yes staff”, even if you felt dreadful.
Lance Corporal Craig Roberts, 24, Lance Corporal Edward Maher and Corporal James Dunsby, both 31, died after suffering hyperthermia during the SAS test on a hot, windless day. The three men, all army reservists, were taking part in the exercise on and around Pen Y Fan, the highest mountain in southern Britain, in July 2013. Lance Corporal Craig Roberts, 24, Lance Corporal Edward Maher and Corporal James Dunsby, both 31, died after suffering hyperthermia during the SAS test on a hot, windless day. The exercise was conducted on and around Pen Y Fan, the highest mountain in southern Britain, in July 2013.
The coroner’s court has heard a claim that the test march was not called off because of the paperwork a cancellation would have created. The coroner’s court has heard a claim that the test march was not called off because of the paperwork that a cancellation would have created.
Margaret Roberts, the mother of Craig, said that when she went to identify her son’s body she asked why the march had not been delayed because of the heat.Margaret Roberts, the mother of Craig, said that when she went to identify her son’s body she asked why the march had not been delayed because of the heat.
In a statement read out at the inquest Roberts said: “We asked why the march could not have waited.” She alleged an unnamed officer told her: “There would be too much paperwork to postpone it.” Roberts added: “We were so angry at that. We were being told the march had not been cancelled to save paperwork.” In a statement read out at the inquest, Roberts said: “We asked why the march could not have waited.” She alleged that an unnamed officer told her: “There would be too much paperwork to postpone it.” Roberts added: “We were so angry at that. We were being told the march had not been cancelled to save paperwork.”
The inquest has heard that temperatures reached reach 27C (80.6F) and winds were unusually light. As temperatures built during the day, at least seven and possibly 10 men in addition to the three who died suffered from heat illness. All of those who suffered heat illness were reservists.The inquest has heard that temperatures reached reach 27C (80.6F) and winds were unusually light. As temperatures built during the day, at least seven and possibly 10 men in addition to the three who died suffered from heat illness. All of those who suffered heat illness were reservists.
It has emerged that there was no water at two of the five checkpoints on the routes and no medics at three of them while concerns surfaced about some of the equipment the candidates had and the length of time it took soldiers who were in trouble to be found and evacuated. It has emerged that there was no water at two of the five checkpoints on the routes and no medics at three of them, and concerns have surfaced about some of the equipment the candidates had and the length of time it took soldiers who were in trouble to be found and evacuated.
Seventy-eight soldiers carrying backpacks weighing at least 49lb (22kg) had set out on the march which covered 16.4 miles (26.4km) as the crow flies – though in practice the men covered around 18.6 miles – and the candidates had to complete the test within eight hours and 48 minutes. Seventy-eight soldiers carrying backpacks weighing at least 49lb (22kg) set out on the march, which covered 16.4 miles (26.4km) as the crow flies, though in practice the men covered around 18 miles – and the candidates had to complete the test within eight hours and 48 minutes.
The hearing is to explore issues including how the exercise was planned, what checks were made about the weather, emergency procedures and how much water was available. It would look at whether the exercise should have been aborted when reservists started to suffer. The hearing is exploring issues including how the exercise was planned, what checks were made about the weather, emergency procedures and how much water was available. It will look at whether the exercise should have been called off when reservists started to suffer.
Many witnesses will give evidence from behind a screen and be identified only by letters and numbers. The SAS has not been directly referred to during the hearing – the phrase being used is specialist military units.Many witnesses will give evidence from behind a screen and be identified only by letters and numbers. The SAS has not been directly referred to during the hearing – the phrase being used is specialist military units.
1X told the inquest how he had begun the exercise very quickly. He said nobody had given him advice about pacing himself. He said he began to feel ill and eventually sought shelter from the heat, still intending to finish the course, but fell unconscious. After being found by two civilian walkers he was evacuated to hospital. “I pushed myself hard; I just wanted to get to the end,” he said. 1X told the inquest that he began the exercise very quickly. He said nobody had given him advice about pacing himself. He said he began to feel ill and eventually sought shelter from the heat, still intending to finish the course, but fell unconscious.
After being found by two civilian walkers he was evacuated to hospital. “I pushed myself hard; I just wanted to get to the end,” he said.
The inquest continues.The inquest continues.