Soldier dies in training exercise in Brecon on hottest day of year

A British soldier has died during a training exercise on the hottest day of the year so far.

Corporal Joshua Hoole collapsed and died near the Brecon Beacons area of Wales early on Tuesday morning.

He was doing a "standard fitness test" at the time - a standard minimum requirement - the Ministry of Defence said.

Hoole, from Ecclefechan near Lockerbie in Scotland, was a member of the the Rifles regiment.

Video report by Wales & West of England Correspondent Rupert Evelyn:

The 26-year-old had served two tours of Afghanistan and was due to get married later this year.

He was also due to serve as best man at his brother's wedding next week, his grandfather John Craig told ITV News.

Mr Craig, 79, described Hoole as "a good lad" who was dedicated to his job and doted on his grandmother in a tribute.

"He died doing a job that he loved," he said.

"He will be sadly missed but it was a job he had to do and he was a dedicated soldier."

His stepmum Carol Jeffreys also paid tribute to him, saying: "Rest easy soldier. My beautiful stepson. Can't believe it. Will always love you.

"So very proud of you. Thoughts with your family and fiancee. RIP Josh."

It is the fourth such death in the area in three years.

In 2013 three soldiers died while taking part in an SAS training exercise in the Brecon Beacons during 29.5C heat - one of the hottest days of that year.

Lance Corporal Craig Roberts died during the march and Lance Corporal Edward Maher and Corporal James Dunsby collapsed and died later.

Ten other soldiers also suffered heat illness during the expedition.

A coroner ruled that neglect played a part in their deaths.

The "both mentally and physically demanding" Platoon Sergeants' Battle Course is taken by infantry soldiers who want to progress to the rank of sergeant.

It is run three times a year, with the next one set to take place in August.

Soldiers were carrying a total weight of 25kg and carrying webbing, a burgen and a rifle at the time Mr Hoole died.

MP Madeleine Moon, from the Defence Select Committee said the MoD now had questions to answer.

She told ITV News: "We'll be going back and calling the MoD in and saying 'ok, what have you done?'

"How much of our recommendations have you implemented? Did you learn the lessons? How did this happen on, yet again, the hottest day of the year."

Nick Carter, the army's chief of the general staff, told ITV News that the army was carrying out in an investigation into Hoole's death and was ready to learn any lessons from its conclusions.

"My heart goes out to his family and his friends, this is a tragedy," he said.

A statement from Defence Minister Mike Penning said: "The safety of our personnel is our absolute priority, and while deaths in training are rare, any death is a tragedy.

"As well as a police investigation, a Service Inquiry will take place.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the soldier's family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time."