MoD response to damning report on soldier training deaths

Corporal James Dunsby suffered multiple organ failure after overheating on a training march. Credit: MoD

The Ministry of Defence is expected to publish its response to a damning coroner's report on the deaths of three army reservists, who overheated on an SAS training march in the Brecon Beacons.

One of them, Cpl James Dunsby from Trowbridge, died of multiple organ failure in hospital two weeks after collapsing on the march - which took place on an extremely hot day in July 2013. Lance corporals Edward Maher and Craig Roberts were pronounced dead on the Brecon Beacons.

Earlier this year a coroner concluded that there were several failures in the way the march was organised, including a lack of planning for such a hot day, and inadequate information for the soldiers on where they could find water.

The Army later apologised for what happened, with the Ministry of Defence 'accepting responsibility' for the deaths.

Bryher Dunsby said outside the coroner's court that the MoD had Credit: ITV West Country

Following the coroner's report James Dunsby's widow challenged the MoD to make changes, saying her "chivalrous, loyal and high-spirited" husband would have been "so hugely disappointed" in an organisation that he loved.

There have since been reports that SAS selection tests are to be changed as a direct result of what happened.

A written ministerial statement is expected later today.