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Two SAS officers accused of 'basic failings' in march where three men died SAS officers accused of 'basic failings' in march when three men died
(about 1 hour later)
Two special forces officers who were in charge of an SAS test march in which three candidates died after suffering heat illness made “basic and fundamental” errors in the planning and running of the exercise, a court martial was told. Two special forces officers who were in charge of an SAS test march in which three candidates died following heat illness made “basic and fundamental” errors in the planning and running of the exercise, a court martial has been told.
The pair were accused of not carrying out a proper risk assessment as temperatures during the 30km test march soared and did not react when candidates began to be diagnosed with heat illness, it was claimed. They were accused of not carrying out a proper risk assessment as temperatures during the 18-mile (30km) march soared, and did not react when candidates began to be diagnosed with heat illness, it was claimed.
Louis Mably QC, prosecuting, accepted that the pair could not be blamed for “systemic failings” that were also at the centre of the case and were the responsibility of the joint forces command at the Ministry of Defence. Louis Mably QC, prosecuting, accepted the officers could not be blamed for “systemic failings” that were also at the centre of the case and were the responsibility of the joint forces command at the Ministry of Defence.
But he alleged that the men, identified only as 1A and 1B, did not carry out their duty with regard to heat illness with diligence and care.But he alleged that the men, identified only as 1A and 1B, did not carry out their duty with regard to heat illness with diligence and care.
L/Cpl Craig Roberts and L/Cpl Edward Maher were pronounced dead on the Brecon Beacons in south Wales after suffering heat illness in July 2013. Cpl James Dunsby died at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth hospital from multiple organ failure more than two weeks later. He had also suffered heat illness. L/Cpl Craig Roberts and L/Cpl Edward Maher were pronounced dead on the Brecon Beacons in south Wales after experiencing heat illness in July 2013. Cpl James Dunsby died at Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham from multiple organ failure more than two weeks later. He had also experienced heat illness.
Roberts, 24, and Maher and Dunsby, both 31, were part-time soldiers who wanted to try out for the SAS reserve, which works alongside regular troops in some of the most dangerous war zones. The three were taking part in the march in searing heat on and around Pen y Fan, the highest peak in south Wales, in July 2013. Roberts, 24, and Maher and Dunsby, both 31, were part-time soldiers who wanted to try out for the SAS reserve, which works alongside regular troops in some of the world’s most dangerous war zones. They were taking part in the march in searing heat on and around Pen y Fan, the highest peak in south Wales.
The SAS is not being mentioned by name during the trial. Instead it is being described as a “specialist military unit”. The court heard that 1A, who was a captain, was in command of the exercise while 1B was a warrant officer, second class, and was second in command. The SAS is not being mentioned by name during the trial. Instead, it is being described as a “specialist military unit”. The court heard that 1A, who was a captain, was in command of the exercise, while 1B was a warrant officer, second class, and was second in command.
Mably explained how the candidates had to cover almost 30km in eight hours and 45 minutes carrying a rucksack weighing up to 27kg and a dummy rifle. Thirty-seven reservists and 41 regular troops took part in the exercise.Mably explained how the candidates had to cover almost 30km in eight hours and 45 minutes carrying a rucksack weighing up to 27kg and a dummy rifle. Thirty-seven reservists and 41 regular troops took part in the exercise.
The prosecutor alleged that a risk assessment document for the exercise was written by 1B and signed off by 1A. But he described the assessment as a “paper exercise” that had not taken into account the predicted hot weather.The prosecutor alleged that a risk assessment document for the exercise was written by 1B and signed off by 1A. But he described the assessment as a “paper exercise” that had not taken into account the predicted hot weather.
Mably said that the first “potential” case of heat illness was seen as early as 11am and the first candidate to be withdrawn because of heat illness came at 12.14pm. Though the officers had the authority to call the march off, it continued and the three men were found collapsed much later in the afternoon. Mably said the first “potential” case of heat illness was seen as early as 11am and the first candidate to be withdrawn because of heat illness came at 12.14pm. Though the officers had the authority to call the march off, it continued and the three men were found collapsed much later in the afternoon.
Mably said: “The risk of heat illness not properly assessed. They [the defendants] didn’t properly respond to the risk as heat illness casualties began to arise.” “The risk of heat illness [was] not properly assessed. They [the defendants] didn’t properly respond to the risk as heat illness casualties began to arise,” he said.
He added: “Things [went] terribly wrong on the ground. The defendants lost control of events.” “Things [went] terribly wrong on the ground. The defendants lost control of events.”
The prosecutor said heat illness had “infected” the test. He said the sort of men who put themselves forward for such a test were not the type to give up. “They were operating at or beyond their limits,” he said. The prosecutor said heat illness had “infected” the test. He added that the sort of men who put themselves forward for such an exercise were not the type to give up. “They were operating at or beyond their limits,” he said.
Mably said a “sophisticated” temperature measure at an army base in the Brecon Beacons showed the “heat stress index”, which takes into account factors such as wind and humidity, and put the temperature at 31.2C. He said the officers could have made a phone or radio call to find out the precise temperature – but did not. Mably said a “sophisticated” temperature measure at an army base in the Brecon Beacons showed the “heat stress index” – which takes into account factors such as wind and humidity – and put the temperature at 31.2C (88F). He said the officers could have made a phone or radio call to find out the precise temperature, but did not.
“The defendants’ personal failings were basic and fundamental,” he said. “They did not do what they reasonably could and should have done. They did not carry out their duties with the diligence and care that they should have done.”“The defendants’ personal failings were basic and fundamental,” he said. “They did not do what they reasonably could and should have done. They did not carry out their duties with the diligence and care that they should have done.”
Both men deny that they performed a duty negligently, namely “the duty to take reasonable care for the health and safety of candidates taking part in an exercise”. Both men deny they performed a duty negligently, namely “the duty to take reasonable care for the health and safety of candidates taking part in an exercise”.
The hearing continues.The hearing continues.
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