MoD censured over soldier's 'preventable' death

Pte Conor McPherson died in 2016 during a poorly planned training exercise

The Ministry of Defence has been censured with the maximum sanction after a soldier was accidentally shot dead during a night-time "live fire" training exercise.

Pte Conor McPherson, 24, from Paisley, Renfrewshire, sustained a fatal head wound in Otterburn, Northumberland, in August 2016.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the MoD (Army) had failed to properly implement a safe system of work for the exercise.

The MoD said it accepted the findings and apologised "unreservedly" to Pte McPherson's family.

It added his death had been "preventable" and said it had addressed "each of the failings" cited in the Crown censure.

The HSE said by accepting the censure, the MoD admitted breaching health and safety at work rules.

“Just like any other employer, the MoD has a responsibility to reduce dangers to its personnel, as far as it properly can,” HSE Inspector Jonathan Wills said.

'Poor' planning

Pte McPherson served in the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

He was taking part in a training exercise when he was accidentally shot in the back of the head by a fellow soldier, at about 23:00 BST on 22 August.

The HSE said the planning and conducting of the exercise had been "poor", with an ineffective system to monitor the management arrangements mandated within the MoD's own procedures.

It said there should have been an additional supervisor with the firers on the night of the incident, due to the soldiers' lack of experience when carrying out night-time firing.

The camp has been used for military training since 1911

Mandated "night-time" specific safety tasks were "not carried out prior to firing commencing" and "incorrect and unauthorised" night vision equipment was being used by some soldiers, it found.

Officers who were not sufficiently experienced in controlling such an activity and were not properly mentored or supervised to deal with an exercise of such complexity, the HSE said.

It added some staff had not attended planning meetings in the lead up to the exercise and there should have been an additional supervisor.

'We got it wrong'

Lt Gen Dame Sharon Nesmith, deputy chief of the general staff, said she was "deeply sorry for failing Pte Conor McPherson".

Gen Nesmith added action had been taken "in the immediate aftermath" and lessons continued to be applied.

“We failed to plan, organise, control and monitor the critical safety aspects of this live firing training event," she said.

“Whilst live firing is complex and risky, Conor's death was preventable. We care hugely about our soldiers - above all else their health and wellbeing - on this occasion we got it wrong. Very wrong.

“We very much regret Conor's death. His legacy will be our continual drive to do better. On behalf of the MOD and the Army, I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends."

'Model son'

Pte McPherson’s father, Neil, said he was "a model son", who loved family life.

“On the night Conor died, it was every parent's worst nightmare," he said.

"A knock at the door, two men in suits bearing news that we had lost our son. I think we both went into shock but the memories of it all are blurred.

“The future is one of deep sorrow. Not to see Conor grow and find love and give us grandchildren is very sad. He would have been a fabulous father and as our only son there is no-one to carry on the family name.”

Mr McPherson added he could not go back to work after his son's death and that he and Pte McPherson's mother, Betty, would hardly go out socially.

"Betty and I have many pictures that to date, I cannot bear to look at although we often reminisce together," he added.

"We also both have one of Conor’s dog tags each which we wear on a chain.”