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Differing views of soldier death | Differing views of soldier death |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Private Jason Smith from Hawick in the Scottish Borders died of heat stroke in Iraq in August 2003 at the age of 32. | Private Jason Smith from Hawick in the Scottish Borders died of heat stroke in Iraq in August 2003 at the age of 32. |
That much has been agreed by two investigations which have since been carried out into his death. | That much has been agreed by two investigations which have since been carried out into his death. |
In other areas, however, very different conclusions have come from a coroner's inquest and a British Army inquiry. | In other areas, however, very different conclusions have come from a coroner's inquest and a British Army inquiry. |
One ruled that the Territorial Army soldier would not have died if "proper procedures" had been followed as temperatures soared in Al Amara. | One ruled that the Territorial Army soldier would not have died if "proper procedures" had been followed as temperatures soared in Al Amara. |
The other concluded that the fact that he was "very overweight" and his "probable lack of fitness" were contributory factors. | The other concluded that the fact that he was "very overweight" and his "probable lack of fitness" were contributory factors. |
In November 2006, the deputy assistant coroner for Oxfordshire, Andrew Walker, heard a wide range of evidence. | In November 2006, the deputy assistant coroner for Oxfordshire, Andrew Walker, heard a wide range of evidence. |
He criticised the failure to recognise the problems the Scots soldier was suffering as his body temperature reached 41.1C. | He criticised the failure to recognise the problems the Scots soldier was suffering as his body temperature reached 41.1C. |
"In my view Pte Smith would not have died if the proper procedures had been followed," he said at the time. | "In my view Pte Smith would not have died if the proper procedures had been followed," he said at the time. |
"He should have been taken out of that environment to be treated." | "He should have been taken out of that environment to be treated." |
'Dusty hellhole' | 'Dusty hellhole' |
He also said that medical advice cards which were distributed gave "wholly inadequate instructions". | He also said that medical advice cards which were distributed gave "wholly inadequate instructions". |
The inquest heard claims that some serving soldiers were getting dehydration powders sent to Iraq from the UK, after supplies ran out. | The inquest heard claims that some serving soldiers were getting dehydration powders sent to Iraq from the UK, after supplies ran out. |
It was also told that people were collapsing on a daily basis in the "ferocious" heat. | It was also told that people were collapsing on a daily basis in the "ferocious" heat. |
One soldier described conditions in the Maysan province as a "hot, dusty hellhole". | One soldier described conditions in the Maysan province as a "hot, dusty hellhole". |
Pte Smith was stationed in the Maysan province of Iraq | Pte Smith was stationed in the Maysan province of Iraq |
An Army board of inquiry report in May 2007 highlighted other issues. | An Army board of inquiry report in May 2007 highlighted other issues. |
It said that, at 17 stones, Pte Smith was "at the higher level of obese". | It said that, at 17 stones, Pte Smith was "at the higher level of obese". |
Concerns were expressed about his body mass index (BMI), which measures height against weight, which stood at 34. | Concerns were expressed about his body mass index (BMI), which measures height against weight, which stood at 34. |
"A BMI of above 30 is generally taken as a point at which health becomes an issue," it said. | "A BMI of above 30 is generally taken as a point at which health becomes an issue," it said. |
"It is the opinion of the board that Pte Smith's death was caused by a number of factors. | "It is the opinion of the board that Pte Smith's death was caused by a number of factors. |
"These were the fact that he was very overweight, his probable lack of fitness, the extreme temperatures and lack of air conditioning." | "These were the fact that he was very overweight, his probable lack of fitness, the extreme temperatures and lack of air conditioning." |
The report called for tougher medical checks on TA troops being sent into war zones. | The report called for tougher medical checks on TA troops being sent into war zones. |
'Unbearable conditions' | 'Unbearable conditions' |
Its findings were rejected by the soldier's family who said they felt "let down" by the Army. | Its findings were rejected by the soldier's family who said they felt "let down" by the Army. |
His mother, Catherine Smith, said he took his job and fitness seriously. | His mother, Catherine Smith, said he took his job and fitness seriously. |
She said the Army was to blame for putting its soldiers in "unbearable conditions without air conditioning and proper medical facilities". | She said the Army was to blame for putting its soldiers in "unbearable conditions without air conditioning and proper medical facilities". |
The story might easily have ended there. | The story might easily have ended there. |
Instead, Pte Smith's death has become the subject of a test case on whether human rights law can be extended to soldiers in battlefields abroad. | Instead, Pte Smith's death has become the subject of a test case on whether human rights law can be extended to soldiers in battlefields abroad. |
Nearly six years after he died, a ruling on that issue has now been delivered. |
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