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Cadet organiser admits mistakes | Cadet organiser admits mistakes |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The man who organised a boating exercise in which an Army cadet died has admitted he had not been prepared for the possibility of a capsize. | The man who organised a boating exercise in which an Army cadet died has admitted he had not been prepared for the possibility of a capsize. |
Kaylee McIntosh, 14, from Fyvie in Aberdeenshire, drowned last August after a boat upturned on South Uist. | Kaylee McIntosh, 14, from Fyvie in Aberdeenshire, drowned last August after a boat upturned on South Uist. |
Expedition organiser Major George McCallum accepted that his planning of the trip had been "exceptionally bad". | Expedition organiser Major George McCallum accepted that his planning of the trip had been "exceptionally bad". |
He was speaking at Stornoway Sheriff Court, on the eighth day of a fatal accident inquiry into Kaylee's death. | He was speaking at Stornoway Sheriff Court, on the eighth day of a fatal accident inquiry into Kaylee's death. |
She died while on Loch Carnan in the Outer Hebrides, while taking part in a three-boat training exercise on 3 August, 2007. | She died while on Loch Carnan in the Outer Hebrides, while taking part in a three-boat training exercise on 3 August, 2007. |
A rescue operation was launched after the power boat carrying the schoolgirl and 12 others capsized in choppy seas.. I never took into account the possibility of a capsize Maj George McCallum | |
An error in a headcount taken after the incident meant the teenager was trapped under the upturned boat for one-and-a-half hours before it was noticed she was missing. | |
Earlier this year, an investigation found she had been wearing the wrong kind of lifejacket, which had kept her pinned under the boat. | Earlier this year, an investigation found she had been wearing the wrong kind of lifejacket, which had kept her pinned under the boat. |
Maj McCallum told procurator fiscal David Teale that he was relying on a "buddy boat" system during the exercise, rather than having a separate safety boat. | Maj McCallum told procurator fiscal David Teale that he was relying on a "buddy boat" system during the exercise, rather than having a separate safety boat. |
He said this would allow any of the three boats to pick up a man overboard, but would not be sufficient in the event of a whole boat capsizing | |
'Systematic failure' | |
When questioned about this, he said: "I never took into account the possibility of a capsize." | When questioned about this, he said: "I never took into account the possibility of a capsize." |
Maj McCallum, who nominated himself as the safety adviser for the exercise, was asked by Mr Teale if he now appreciated the need for a separate safety adviser. | Maj McCallum, who nominated himself as the safety adviser for the exercise, was asked by Mr Teale if he now appreciated the need for a separate safety adviser. |
"I certainly do, sir, yes," he said.The exercise was taking place on Loch Carnan | |
"After experiencing the event when I was in the water myself, I could not possibly do the job - I was up to my neck in water." | "After experiencing the event when I was in the water myself, I could not possibly do the job - I was up to my neck in water." |
Mr Teale said: "Do you accept this was exceptionally bad planning on your part?" | Mr Teale said: "Do you accept this was exceptionally bad planning on your part?" |
"Yes sir, I have got to accept that," the Major said. | "Yes sir, I have got to accept that," the Major said. |
The inquiry also heard from an Army accident investigator, Lt Col John Adams, who also said there was a "systemic failure" in the organisation of the expedition. | The inquiry also heard from an Army accident investigator, Lt Col John Adams, who also said there was a "systemic failure" in the organisation of the expedition. |
He told Simon Di Rollo QC, who was representing Kaylee's family, the exercise should have been supervised by a safety officer but there was no evidence that anyone had been appointed to the role. | He told Simon Di Rollo QC, who was representing Kaylee's family, the exercise should have been supervised by a safety officer but there was no evidence that anyone had been appointed to the role. |
Col Adams also agreed that a machine gun mounted on the bow of the boat had affected the stability of the craft. | Col Adams also agreed that a machine gun mounted on the bow of the boat had affected the stability of the craft. |
At the end of his evidence, Col Adams paid tribute to the girl's family, who have been present at the proceedings. | At the end of his evidence, Col Adams paid tribute to the girl's family, who have been present at the proceedings. |
He said: "I have met the McIntosh family on a number of occasions. | He said: "I have met the McIntosh family on a number of occasions. |
"I have been humbled by their dignity and would like to give my public condolences to them." | "I have been humbled by their dignity and would like to give my public condolences to them." |
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