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MoD calls soldier training deaths from heat exhaustion 'unacceptable'

The MoD has published its response to the damning report on the deaths of James Dunsby from Trowbridge and 2 others.

Earlier this year a coroner ruled that neglect played a part in the deaths of the three Army reservists, who collapsed during a 16-mile SAS test march.

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Coroner: Soldiers would have survived if army had followed its own rules

Cpl James Dunsby died of multiple organ failure caused by overheating in July 2013. Credit: Ministry of Defence

A coroner has ruled that neglect contributed to the deaths of three soldiers, including Corporal James Dunsby from Wiltshire, who collapsed during a 16-mile SAS training march.

Recording narrative verdicts at an inquest in Solihull, senior Birmingham coroner Louise Hunt said all three soldiers would have survived if Ministry of Defence regulations on heat illness had been followed.

Ms Hunt criticised inadequate planning, badly functioning technology, a "chaotic" response to the men's initial collapse, and "a catalogue of very serious mistakes" by many people in the organisation.

Corporal Dunsby died in hospital from multiple organ failure more than two weeks after collapsing on the march in July 2013. Lance corporals Edward Maher and Craig Roberts were pronounced dead on the Brecon Beacons after suffering heatstroke.

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