SAS selection training deaths: Third soldier named

Cpl James Dunsby died after taking part in the exercise in the Brecon Beacons

A third soldier who died from injuries sustained in SAS selection training in mid Wales amid high temperatures has been named as Cpl James Dunsby.

Cpl Dunsby, 31, died on Tuesday after he collapsed along with Edward Maher, 31, and L/Cpl Craig Roberts, 24, during an exercise in the Brecon Beacons.

The men were on a 40-mile (64km) hike on 13 July when temperatures reached 29.5C (85F).

The Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has announced a full inquiry.

Cpl Dunsby was a member of the Army Reserves (The Royal Yeomanry).

His family have asked for privacy but in a statement via the MoD they described him as someone who had "the most infectious enthusiasm for life".

They said: "He was the most loving and dependable husband, not to mention the most handsome of men of whom could not be more cherished.

Army reservists Edward Maher, 31, and Craig Roberts, 24, died on 13 July

"James was and will remain a dearly loved, son, brother and husband.

"He had the uniquely wonderful ability to endear, enchant and captivate all who he met with his naughty sense of humour and highly intelligent wit.

"With James as your friend you were ensured loyalty, strength, allegiance, protection and most of all a damn good laugh."

The soldiers had taken part in a four-week trial for the Territorial Army's SAS reservists ending in the hike over the Brecon Beacons in Powys.

They had been among six men rescued from the mountain.

L/Cpl Roberts had been pronounced dead on the mountain at 17:15 BST. Almost three hours later, Mr Maher died at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.

'Right to life' inquiry

An inquest in Brecon, which was opened and adjourned last week, heard the cause of Mr Roberts's and Mr Maher's deaths on 13 July remained "unascertained".

Powys coroner Louise Hunt warned that the MoD could face investigation under the Human Rights Act.

She said "right to life" would play an important part in the inquest.

A witness on the day described coming across two soldiers "clearly in distress" who pleaded with them for drinking water.

The soldiers were understood to be taking part in the aptitude training element of the course to become SAS reservists.

L/Cpl Roberts, 24, of Penrhyn Bay, Conwy, had served with the Territorial Army for about five years and is understood to have served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Brecon Beacons is home to the Infantry Battle School and makes up one of Britain's largest military training areas.