Neglect played part in deaths of 3 Army reservists, coroner rules

Speaking after a coroner ruled that neglect contributed to the deaths of three Army reservists, Brigadier John Donnelly, director of army personnel services, said: "We are truly sorry for all the mistakes the coroner identified today."

No part of the armed forces can be above the law, the widow of an army reservist has said following the conclusion of the inquest into his death.

Bryher Dunsby said the inquest into her husband James's death had uncovered "countless and embarrassing failings" as she accused the Ministry of Defence of "losing sight" of its values and demonstrating "no responsibility".

Speaking outside the inquest in Solihull, she urged the MoD to show "maturity and look at its failings, and to want to improve".

She paid tribute to her "chivalrous, loyal and high-spirited" husband, saying he would have been "hugely disappointed" in the MoD.

The family of Edward Maher have said it is "unacceptable" their son paid for his SAS training in the Brecon Beacons with his life.

A statement said: "We support wholeheartedly the unique work of all the Special Forces.

"We also believe that their training methods must be fit for purpose to produce the magnificent soldiers who undertake a role that very few are willing to perform.

"But the SAS must distinguish between training and operational activities.

"Our son was not on active service in July 2013. He was undergoing selection training on a Welsh hillside, and it is unacceptable that he paid for that with his life."

An inquest into Mr Maher's death and that of two other reservists found neglect paid a part.

Neglect played a part in the deaths of three Army reservists who collapsed during an SAS test march on the Brecon Beacons in 2013, a coroner has ruled.

Senior Birmingham coroner Louise Hunt said Lance Corporal Edward Maher, Lance Corporal Craig Roberts and Corporal James Dunsby would have survived if Ministry of Defence regulations on heat illness had been followed.

She said a "chaotic" response to the men's collapse was just one of a "catalogue of very serious mistakes" made by defence staff.

"There was a complacent attitude to risk," she said.

A risk assessment taken two weeks before the fatal march was inadequate and did not address the increased risk of illness exhaustion, she said.

Ms Hunt said the reservists were not adequately conditioned for the march, and staff at checkpoints on the 16-mile route had failed to spot signs of heat exhaustion.