'Further investigations to be carried out' in case of two soldiers who died on SAS training exercise in Brecon Beacons

 
“True gent”: L-Cpl Craig Roberts at his graduation with Lizzy Roberts, believed to be his sister
24 July 2013

Further tests will be carried out concerning the deaths of two soldiers during SAS selection training in the Brecon Beacons.

Edward John Maher and Lance Corporal Craig John Roberts collapsed on one of the hottest days of the year while climbing south Wales' highest mountain.

A military colleague of theirs remains in a serious condition.

Witnesses on the day said they saw two soldiers "clearly in distress" who pleaded with them for some drinking water.

An inquest at Brecon Law Courts in Powys, mid Wales, gave the medical deaths of the pair as "unascertained".

Speaking at the brief hearing was Dyfed Powys Police Detective Inspector Ieuan Wyn Jones.

He said that L/Cpl Roberts had been pronounced dead on the mountain at 5.15pm, while Mr Maher died at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil almost three hours later.

"Post mortems have been carried out and the causes of death are unascertained," he added.

"Further investigations are being carried out."

Mr Maher and L/Cpl Roberts were understood to be taking part in the aptitude training element of the course to become SAS reservists.

They were climbing Pen Y Fan, the highest mountain in southern Britain, on July 13.

It is known as the location for the "Fan Dance" where soldiers hoping to join the special forces march over the mountain carrying a heavy pack and a rifle, then do the route in reverse in a set time.

L/Cpl Roberts, 24, of Penrhyn Bay, had served with the Territorial Army for around five years and is understood to have served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The former teaching assistant lived in London and had been due to start a job in the office of the Secretary of State for Education.

His father Kelvin Roberts said at the time of his death: "We are all devastated at the loss of our beloved Craig.

"This has left a massive hole in all our lives.

"We wholeheartedly supported Craig in his military endeavours and it gives us some comfort, though great sadness, that he died in the pursuit of his dream."

Mr Maher was named as the second fatality by Ministry of Defence officials only this morning.

His family had initially asked for him not to be named - but issued a tribute ahead of his inquest taking place.

They issued a short statement saying: "At this time of great sadness Edward's family has asked that they be left alone to grieve in private."

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