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SAS test officer did not consider 'do or die' attitude of candidates, inquest hears SAS test officer did not consider 'do or die' attitude of candidates, inquest hears
(about 3 hours later)
SAS candidates who survived a test march after which three men died have criticised the way in which the exercise was organised and their treatment during and after the 16-mile march.SAS candidates who survived a test march after which three men died have criticised the way in which the exercise was organised and their treatment during and after the 16-mile march.
One man suggested that the commanding officer should have made adjustments to the test in the Brecon Beacons in south Wales in light of the high temperatures, and that the officer may not have fully taken into account the candidates’ “do or die attitude”.One man suggested that the commanding officer should have made adjustments to the test in the Brecon Beacons in south Wales in light of the high temperatures, and that the officer may not have fully taken into account the candidates’ “do or die attitude”.
When the man collapsed after completing the course he was initially prevented from going to hospital because of concerns that the press would have a “field day” with it, he claimed. When the man collapsed after completing the course, he was initially prevented from going to hospital because of concerns that the press would have a “field day” with it, he claimed.
A second candidate said he was angry about the attitude of the march’s chief instructor who, he claimed, viewed the part-time reservists undertaking the march as a “hindrance”.A second candidate said he was angry about the attitude of the march’s chief instructor who, he claimed, viewed the part-time reservists undertaking the march as a “hindrance”.
Three reservists – Lance Corporal Craig Roberts, 24, Lance Corporal Edward Maher and Corporal James Dunsby, both 31 – died after suffering hyperthermia during the test in July 2013. At least seven more reservists suffered heat injuries.Three reservists – Lance Corporal Craig Roberts, 24, Lance Corporal Edward Maher and Corporal James Dunsby, both 31 – died after suffering hyperthermia during the test in July 2013. At least seven more reservists suffered heat injuries.
Related: SAS march on which three men died 'went ahead to avoid paperwork'Related: SAS march on which three men died 'went ahead to avoid paperwork'
An inquest in Solihull heard a claim that the march was not called off despite soaring temperatures because of the paperwork that would have been created by a cancellation.An inquest in Solihull heard a claim that the march was not called off despite soaring temperatures because of the paperwork that would have been created by a cancellation.
On day three of the hearing, a candidate identified by his codename 2D said he had decided to try to pass the special forces training course because he was attracted by the prestige of the regiment and the “fantastic challenge”.On day three of the hearing, a candidate identified by his codename 2D said he had decided to try to pass the special forces training course because he was attracted by the prestige of the regiment and the “fantastic challenge”.
There was a “do or die” attitude among recruits taking the test, 2D said. He suggested there needed to be “very intelligent management” to make sure candidates did not push themselves too far. The commanding officer could have modified the test march, he said. “I think if I had been the commanding officer, I would have made some sort of adjustment.”There was a “do or die” attitude among recruits taking the test, 2D said. He suggested there needed to be “very intelligent management” to make sure candidates did not push themselves too far. The commanding officer could have modified the test march, he said. “I think if I had been the commanding officer, I would have made some sort of adjustment.”
After completing the march but feeling very ill, 2D stumbled to the training camp’s medical centre where he claimed to have repeatedly asked to see a doctor but was told they were all engaged. “I asked if I could go to civilian hospital. I heard them say the press would have a field day if they sent me to hospital.” When he asked again he was told he was under the army’s jurisdiction. After completing the march but feeling very ill, 2D stumbled to the training camp’s medical centre where he claimed to have repeatedly asked to see a doctor but was told they were all engaged. “I asked if I could go to civilian hospital. I heard them say the press would have a field day if they sent me to hospital.” When he asked again, he was told he was under the army’s jurisdiction.
He said he was given a packet of Mini Cheddars and told that “his mates” would be “on stag”, meaning they would watch over him. When finally he was allowed to go to hospital, he was found to have acute kidney injuries and his body was later judged to be in a “pretty terrible state”.He said he was given a packet of Mini Cheddars and told that “his mates” would be “on stag”, meaning they would watch over him. When finally he was allowed to go to hospital, he was found to have acute kidney injuries and his body was later judged to be in a “pretty terrible state”.
2D said his confidence in the army had been shaken and there had been an “outright failure of common sense” in the medical centre.2D said his confidence in the army had been shaken and there had been an “outright failure of common sense” in the medical centre.
Two other candidates explained that they were withdrawn from the march on medical grounds and then told to sit in what one described as a “stifling hot” truck. Candidate 4E, who suffered hallucinations on the hillside, said he spent up to three hours in the truck without receiving medical treatment.Two other candidates explained that they were withdrawn from the march on medical grounds and then told to sit in what one described as a “stifling hot” truck. Candidate 4E, who suffered hallucinations on the hillside, said he spent up to three hours in the truck without receiving medical treatment.
Candidate 4C, who was also forced to stop, said the chief instructor had told him he was young and could not have prepared properly for the exercise. “It appeared that we as reservists were a hindrance to him and he would have preferred it if we were not there.”Candidate 4C, who was also forced to stop, said the chief instructor had told him he was young and could not have prepared properly for the exercise. “It appeared that we as reservists were a hindrance to him and he would have preferred it if we were not there.”
The inquest continues.The inquest continues.