SAS march deaths: Widow slams 'embarrassing failures'

The widow of one of the three reservists who died on an SAS march has criticised the "embarrassing" failures that led to his death.

L/Cpl Edward Maher, L/Cpl Craig Roberts and Cpl James Dunsby all died from the effects of hyperthermia after a march on the The Brecon Beacons in 2013.

The inquest in Solihull, West Midlands, ruled they died as a result of neglect.

Bryher Dunsby described the failures as "countless and quite honestly embarrassing".

She added: "There have been times during the course of this inquest when the MoD lost sight of importance of their very own values and standards.

"They displayed no responsibility, no accountability and no humility for their role in creating the culture which led to the events of 13 July 2013.

"Even an ounce of this would have gone such a long way in acknowledging the vast catalogue of errors which were so clearly made."

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

L/Cpl Maher's family also called for the SAS to "distinguish between training and operational activities and said it is unacceptable that he paid for that training with his life".

In a statement they said: "We would like to thank first and foremost Dyfed-Powys Police and the Health and Safety Executive for their diligence and outstanding professionalism in bringing to light the facts of this case.

"We support wholeheartedly the unique work of all the Special Forces.

"We also believe that their training methods must be fit for purpose in order to produce the magnificent soldiers who undertake a role that very few are willing or able to perform.

"But the SAS must distinguish between training and operational activities. Our son was not on active service in July 2013; he was undergoing selection training on a Welsh hillside, and it is unacceptable that he paid for that training with his life."

L/Cpl Roberts' parents said outside the hearing that they would like to take time to reflect on the verdicts and they will be making a statement in due course.