Two SAS soldiers charged over the death of three reservists who collapsed in blazing temperatures during selection for elite unit
Craig Roberts, Edward Maher and James Dunsby all died after collapsing during a 40-mile test march on the Brecon Beacons in blistering heat
TWO SAS soldiers have been charged over the death of three reservists who collapsed during selection for the elite unit.
The pair, who were overseeing a 40-mile test march in blazing temperatures, will go on trial accused of “negligent performance of duty”.
Known only as 1A and 1B, they face two years’ jail and dismissal from the forces if found guilty, sources said. L/Cpl Craig Roberts, 24, Trooper Edward Maher, 31, and Cpl James Dunsby, 31, all died after collapsing during the march on the Brecon Beacons in South Wales on one of the hottest days of 2013.
An inquest found “systemic failures” by soldiers on the ground and those “much higher up”.
But senior officers in the regiment have not been charged.
The military’s Service Prosecuting Authority had decided not to charge the two soldiers, who were the training officer and chief instructor during SAS reserves selection.
But lawyers acting for some of the bereaved lodged a review with the SPA and its decision was reversed.
The pair’s lawyers have said they were merely “exam invigilators” and claimed junior soldiers were being thrown to the wolves to protect top brass.
1A, a still-serving training captain, was responsible for the risk assessment on the march but told the inquest he was unaware of official MoD guidance on heat exhaustion.
And 1B, a training warrant officer, said that “it was not in his thought process” that soldiers were struggling.
Cpl Dunsby’s dad David has said he does not want the soldiers charged, adding: “These two men have people above them. Orders come from the top.”
The SPA confirmed “charges had been directed”.
