Army admits ‘multiple failings’ after soldier killed in training exercise

The British Army has admitted they didn’t do enough to protect a Scottish soldier who was killed during a training exercise in North Yorkshire.

Staff Sergeant John McKelvie, from East Ayrshire, was taking part in a Jackal driving exercise at the Catterick Training Area on January 29, 2019, with five other Army reservists.

As part of the exercise, the vehicle, which is an open-top armoured jeep with a mounted gun, was driven off-road ascending and descending the steep inclines on either side of a valley.

During one of the climbs, the Jackal lost traction and began to roll backwards. Staff Sergeant McKelvie suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to hospital.

The 51-year-old died six days after the incident. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death was conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who have issued a Crown Censure to the Ministry of Defence.

The HSE found that despite the training task involving hazardous activities, the necessary ‘suitable and sufficient’ risk assessments had not been carried out.

The investigation also found that standing orders and directions had not been followed.

HSE inspector Mark Slater said: “All training, including that which is required to be as realistic as possible, should be planned, risk assessed and executed in such a manner that it does not endanger those who are involved.

“Had the systems implemented by the Army been more robust, Sergeant McKelvie would probably still be alive today.”

Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Roly Walker, had “failed” Staff Sergeant McKelvie and insisted lessons would be learned from the incident to ensure the safety of soldiers during training exercises in the future.

He said: “I apologise unreservedly for failing to maintain the safety standards rightly expected of the British Army. Staff Sergeant John McKelvie died because we didn’t do enough to protect him from the risk of death. The condolences I offer to John’s family and friends are heartfelt for a soldier lost that didn’t need to be lost in this way.

“We failed John and I am so sorry. We are committed to learning and adapting, so this never happens to another family, another regiment, or another group of friends. I realise that I must also restore the confidence of others in the safety and supervision of high-risk training.

“I would like to express my appreciation to the Health and Safety Executive for the thoroughness of the investigation. This scrutiny and the identification of our failings in this process and in the Service Inquiry and Inquest ensures real change.

“The men and women who bravely commit to defending our country deserve the highest safety standards during their training and we will continue to strive to ensure that the lessons learned from John’s death help to make others safer now and in the future.”

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