Fury as soldier dies on Brecon Beacons 3yrs after SAS hopefuls’ ‘neglect’ deaths
'Superfit' Josh Hoole, 26, collapsed during heatwave drill
MPs yesterday demanded an urgent inquiry after a soldier died on a gruelling training march on the hottest day of the year — just like three SAS hopefuls in 2013.
Super-fit Afghan veteran Corporal Josh Hoole, 26, collapsed after yomping over the Brecon Beacons for two hours on Tuesday.
Three years ago, three SAS recruits died on a similar march in the same hills in stifling heat and a coroner later accused the Army of neglect.
Josh’s death yesterday triggered fury in the ranks, with one source saying: “We have to stop killing our blokes in training. How on earth have the right lessons not been learned?”
Tory MP Johnny Mercer, also an Afghanistan veteran, said: “I and the Defence Committee will be examining this tragic news closely.”
Fellow Tory Richard Benyon, an ex-Army officer and Defence Committee member, promised an investigation.
Josh, who was in the Rifles regiment, collapsed and died just after finishing an eight-mile hike carrying a rifle and 25kg of kit, almost 4st.
He was on a sergeant’s course. The cause of death is not yet known.
Tuesday was the hottest day of the year so far.
It was nearing 18C when Josh set out at 7am and it was 24.5C when an ambulance was called shortly after he returned at 9am.
Josh, of Ecclefechan, Lockerbie, served two Afghan tours and was to marry girlfriend Rachael McKie, 29, later this year.
His brother Tyrone, 27, also a soldier, said: “I’ve lost my best mate, not just a brother.”
Grandad John Craig, 79, said: “The family are shattered. Josh was the greatest grandson you could ask for.
“He was a dedicated soldier and so fit he was an infantry instructor at Catterick. He was super fit.
“He loved the Army, served twice in Afghanistan and with the special services in Iraq.
His brother was getting married next week and he was going to be best man.
“The MoD have been keeping their cards close to their chest but we think it’s dehydration or something similar that has caused this.”
Josh’s stepmum Carol Jeffreys paid tribute to him, saying: “Rest easy soldier. My beautiful stepson.”
The Army promised to enforce tighter checks on training marches in the wake of the 2013 deaths of Lance Corporals Edward Maher and Craig Roberts and Corporal James Dunsby.
In April, MPs said it was wrong for the Ministry of Defence to be exempt from corporate manslaughter laws in relation to training exercise deaths.
They revealed that 135 personnel — 89 Army, 24 Royal Navy and 22 RAF — had died in training since 2000.
Health and Safety officers are investigating what happened on Tuesday.
One soldier, who asked not to be named, said yesterday of Josh’s death: “It’s a very tragic case but fortunately these things are extremely rare.”
Cpl Dunsby’s widow Bryher said: “I sincerely hope all inquiries are conducted promptly, with truth, integrity and total transparency by the MoD.”
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VICTIMS OF NEGLECT
A CORONER ruled Lance Corporal Edward Maher, Lance Corporal Craig Roberts and Corporal James Dunsby died as a result of neglect on a 16-mile Brecon Beacons march during SAS selection in 2013.
Appalling health and safety failures and lack of basic medical care were blamed.
Army chiefs then pledged to enforce tighter checks on the notoriously tough tests and ensure measures such as regular water stops.
RISK IS VITAL
BY COL RICHARD KEMP, Former commander of British Armed Forces in Afghanistan
WE don’t know the exact circumstances and if this death was caused by heat.
The people running this exercise would have taken into account the heat and risks following deaths in the SAS selection programme.
But soldiers must operate in hot conditions. If you eliminate all risk, basic training becomes pointless and people die in battle.
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