Probe into death of corporal in training

An Army test group was told it was marching “inside the window” of safe operation on the hottest day of the year before a soldier fatally collapsed, an inquest heard.

Corporal Joshua Hoole, described as “fit, capable and determined”, died within an hour of collapsing during an annual fitness test (AFT) at Brecon, Wales, on the morning of July 19 2016.

The death of Cpl Hoole, of Ecclefechan near Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway, came three years after three Army reservists suffered fatal heat illness during an SAS selection march in the Brecon Beacons.

An inquest into Cpl Hoole’s death has already heard soldiers were aware it was to be “the hottest day” and the march start time was brought forward four hours, due to the weather.

Of the 41 corporals and lance corporals taking part in the AFT that day, 18 pulled out, collapsed or withdrew – a rate of 42%.

The inquest at Birmingham Coroner’s Court has previously heard the average drop-out rate on the same route for the whole of the previous year had been 3%.

Cpl Hoole, 26, collapsed at 8.52am just 400m from the end of the “eight-miler” loaded march.

The inquest has heard a key temperature gauge used to determine if it was safe to start AFTS had been “erroneously” located in the shade of the base’s gym at Dering Lines, meaning it gave low readings in the morning.

Exercises are not supposed to go ahead if the wet bulb globe thermometer (WBGT) hits 20C, senior coroner Louise Hunt has been told.

Yesterday, the inquest heard a call was made – while the march was in progress and 27 minutes before Cpl Hoole collapsed – asking for the temperature reading but one was not available.

The inquest continues.

An order of service for Corporal Joshua Hoole.