Father of reservist criticises SAS test march 'lies'

Cpl James Dunsby, L/Cpl Edward Maher and L/Cpl Craig Roberts died in July 2013

The father of an army reservist who died following an SAS test march has accused other soldiers of lying to him about where his son was found.

Cpl James Dunsby died after collapsing on a Brecon Beacons march on one of the hottest days of 2013.

At the inquest on Thursday, David Dunsby demanded to know why he was supplied with "a complete fabrication" concerning the collapse of his son.

L/Cpl Craig Roberts, of Conwy county, and L/Cpl Edward Maher also died.

The inquest in Solihull, West Midlands, heard Cpl Dunsby's father asked the Ministry of Defence if he could see the exact location where the reservist collapsed.

Mr Dunsby, 58, was taken on to the mountains a week after the test march while Cpl Dunsby, from Trowbridge in Wiltshire, remained critically ill in hospital.

In a statement read to the inquest, Mr Dunsby said he had asked if he could "finish" his son's march for him.

The soldiers collapsed during the march while carrying 50lbs (22kg) of equipment

But he questioned why he was taken to a spot up to 875 yards (800m) away from where his son was found.

"I am concerned that I was given misinformation and who this served," he said in the statement.

"The evidence shows that my son James was alone and possibly in distress for as long as 90 minutes.

"These 90 minutes demonstrate the army failed in protecting and rescuing our son.

"As a parent I need to know why I was lied to regarding James's position on the day and why it was so necessary to disguise what happened."

A permanent staff instructor, known as 1G, told the hearing he had observed the march on 13 July on behalf of his superiors.

He said he did not know the three soldiers who had died but described the 37 reservists who began an "aptitude" test that week as a strong group.

"All the reservists that went through to test week were up to par. None of them were lacking in fitness at all," he added.

The inquest continues.