SAS deaths inquest: army reservist found dead still clutching water bottle

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/09/sas-deaths-inquest-army-reservist

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An army reservist who took part in an SAS test march in searing heat was found dead while still clutching a bottle of water and a chocolate bar, an inquest heard.

A medic said L/Cpl Edward Maher, one of three who suffered fatal heat injuries, seemed to be resting on the hillside in the Brecon Beacons. But when the medic got to Maher he found he was not breathing and was cold to the touch.

Three army reservists – Maher and Cpl Dunsby, both 31, and L/Cpl Craig Roberts, 24 – died after suffering hyperthermia as temperatures reached 27C (80.6F) during the test in July 2013. At least seven more reservists suffered heat injuries.

The inquest into the men’s deaths has heard claims that the march was not called off despite the heat because a cancellation would have generated too much paperwork. Candidates described running out of water, collapsing in the heat and having to be helped by civilians.

On day seven of the inquest, the medic, known by the cipher 1N, told the hearing in Solihull, West Midlands, that Maher was found near one of the five checkpoints the candidates had to pass during the 16-mile march.

1N told the inquest: “He was sitting in a completely natural position, almost like he was just having a Condor moment, just having a rest. He had a half-eaten chocolate bar in one hand and his water bottle in the other.”

The medic, who had previously undergone special forces selection, began CPR and requested an immediate casualty evacuation. Timings generated from Maher’s emergency beacon suggest that 1N found the reservist at about 4.45pm.

1N estimated that he battled for around 45 minutes to revive Maher. An air ambulance arrived at the spot at around 5.30pm but he was pronounced dead.

Earlier, the inquest heard how a walker tried to help save Dunsby by fanning him as he was stretchered down the Welsh hillside and holding his head to try to help him breathe.

Related: Hiker tried to help heat-stricken SAS hopeful, inquest hears

A regular soldier helping to direct the march – known only by his cipher 1K – told the inquest a passing walker offered to tend to Dunsby.

1K said: “I tasked him to ensure the casualty was fanned down during the extraction. The casualty was unconscious and unresponsive. He was laid on his side in a recovery position. I was conscious to the fact we needed to cool him.”

When the stretcher party reached a car park, the civilian ambulance that had been called was not there. “We had to wait for the ambulance to arrive,” 1K said.

In a statement read to the court by the coroner, a senior paramedic with 23 years of experience said Dunsby’s temperature was the highest he had ever encountered. Welsh ambulance service clinical team leader Damon James said Dunsby’s body appeared to be “shutting down” and he did not think he would survive. The inquest was told Dunsby’s temperature was recorded at 40.4C.

The inquest continues.