Military asked to review hot-weather training after Brecon Beacons deaths

Two Territorial Army volunteers died during gruelling selection process for SAS reserves on Welsh peaks

There are growing calls for military chiefs to review guidance on strenuous training in hot weather as sources confirmed that two volunteers who died on the Brecon Beacons were taking part in the SAS selection process.

The two men were involved in a gruelling exercise in south Wales to prove their fitness to become SAS reservists when they were apparently overcome by the heat.

Mountain rescue teams helped service personnel evacuate the two men and as many as four others from the rugged mountains on Saturday afternoon, as temperatures soared to 30C (86F). A third man who was badly affected remains in serious condition in hospital.

The incident happened on or near the slopes of Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in southern Britain and venue for the notorious “Fan Dance”, which involves would-be SAS members marching up the mountain, down the other side and back again while carrying a weighted pack and rifle – then doing the route in reverse in a set time.

Dyfed-Powys police and the Ministry of Defence are investigating the incident but there were already calls for military chiefs to look again at the stress and strains would-be special services members are put under during training.

Dan Jarvis, the Labour MP and a former member of the Parachute Regiment, called for the MoD to review its guidance on training in harsh conditions. He said: “I robustly defend the right of the army to conduct the most rigorous training. We have got to have people who are used to facing adversity.

“Having said that, there are very strict rules that apply when training is taking place in adverse conditions. Something has gone wrong. We need to get to the bottom of it.” Jarvis said he had trained on the Brecon Beacons in hot and cold weather. “It is incredibly arduous,” he said.

Simon Thomas, the Plaid Cymru assembly member for mid and west Wales, which includes the Beacons, said: “Our thoughts are with the families at this dreadful time, and we send best wishes for the recovery of the third soldier affected.

“The UK government plans to rely more heavily upon members of the Territorial Army in future and so they must receive the best training and the same duty of care. Lessons must be learnt as more information from this comes to light.

“The Brecon Beacons are a beautiful part of the country, but even the most hardy can get into trouble if they are not properly prepared for any eventualities there.”

Philippa Tuckman, a specialist lawyer in military negligence at Bolt Burdon Kemp, said: “The MoD has a lot of guidance around climatic injuries and itself states that the majority of deaths caused by the climate could be avoided.

“The fact we have six people involved here, with two deaths and a serious injury, does seem to indicate that someone was not following these guidelines. The guidance is excellent but you have to get everyone …read more