SAS selection deaths: Recruit 'tried to save' hopeful

Cpl James Dunsby, L/Cpl Edward Maher and L/Cpl Craig Roberts took part in the exercise last year

A recruit tried for two hours to save a colleague who had collapsed in "freaky" warm weather during an SAS selection march, an inquest has heard.

L/Cpl Craig Roberts, 24, of Conwy, died during the Brecon Beacons exercise in 2013, despite resuscitation attempts.

L/Cpl Edward Maher and Cpl James Dunsby died in hospital after collapsing while attempting the same march.

The West Midlands hearing was also told no consideration was given to amending the exercise the following day.

A soldier, known as 1D to protect his identity, said L/Cpl Roberts was lying down and vomiting when he found him before the last course checkpoint.

The reservist pressed his emergency button and shouted his name but there was no response.

L/Cpl Roberts stopped breathing and his colleague began trying to resuscitate him before other recruits, responding to the emergency call, arrived after 20 minutes.

A medic performed a tracheotomy - a procedure in which a tube is inserted into the windpipe to help someone breathe - and fitted a drip.

The exercise was carried out on the Brecon Beacons on one of the hottest days of 2013

Reservist 1D told the hearing the recruits worked for "two hours to get him back", before it was agreed they should stop.

He said: "The weather was just a bit freaky that day… we weren't used to training in those conditions. I don't think fitness had anything to do with it. Craig was a really fit guy."

The hearing has previously been told the exercise took place on one of the hottest days of the year on 13 July 2013, with temperatures expected to hit 27C (80.6F).

A second reservist, referred to as 1E, told the inquest he saw Cpl Dunsby during the exercise looking confused and lethargic.

He said looking back, the symptoms could have been signs of heat illness, but said Cpl Dunsby did have enough food and water.

He told the hearing he saw recruit 1D, trying to resuscitate L/Cpl Roberts before the last checkpoint.

He said the area was known as "VW valley" - VW meaning "voluntary withdrawal" - reflecting the difficulty in crossing the area.

Training instructor 1F told the inquest he had made previous changes to test runs of the march to account for hot weather, but another soldier was in charge the day the men died.

He also said he could not recall any discussion on whether the exercise should continue the following day.

The inquest continues.