Training changes considered before three SAS selection deaths

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

Training improvements were being considered weeks before three army reservists died on an SAS selection exercise, an inquest has heard.

L/Cpl Craig Roberts, from Conwy county, died during the Brecon Beacons march on one of the hottest days of 2013.

L/Cpl Edward Maher and Cpl James Dunsby also collapsed and later died.

The soldier in charge of preparing candidates, known as 2A, said "more beneficial" build-up marches were being considered before the fatal march.

He told the hearing in Solihull, West Midlands, that the changes had not been seen as urgent.

The training programme has since been changed.

He said: "I think one of the staff said the planets just aligned that day and everything fell into place in the wrong way."

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

The regiment's commanding officer, known as soldier SR44, told the inquest the "right people with the right experience" were in charge on the day of the exercise.

He said the "primary cause" of the deaths was the difference between the performance of those candidates who had conducted pre-training with his unit and the reservists.

All bar one of the candidates who had trained with his regiment beforehand completed the course.

"I know this will cause distress to the families… but I do believe checkpoints were correctly manned and checks were made correctly," he added.

Soldier SR44 said he felt individuals could have withdrawn from the voluntary test if they wished to.

The inquest continues.