Army criticised over soldier's death on exercise

A reservist soldier would have "probably been alive" today if not for Army failings, a health and safety inspector has said.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) failed to comply with health and safety laws before Staff Sgt John McKelvie died during a training exercise.

Sgt McKelvie, of Drongan, Ayr, died from a brain injury after the armoured Supacat Jackal he was driving rolled down a hill at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire in January 2019.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which investigated the incident, has now issued the MOD with a Crown Censure, the maximum sanction a government body can receive.

As the Crown has immunity from prosecution, the Crown Censure publicly records the MOD's failings to meet legal standards.

Sgt McKelvie, 51, had been taking part in Jackal driver training with five other Army reservists when the incident happened.

The off-road aspect of the training included a number of ascents and descents of steep inclines either side of a valley on land known as The Land of Nod.

Attempting an ascent, the vehicle lost traction and rolled backwards and Sgt McKelvie suffered serious injuries.

After being airlifted to hospital, he died six days later.

An investigation by the HSE identified that the course involved hazardous activities but other steps needed to be taken to control the dangers.

It found a failure in oversight, which meant the course programme progressed too quickly and trainees had not developed the necessary expertise to safely negotiate the more challenging obstacles.

HSE added that risk assessments were "not suitable and sufficient", and despite numerous previous "rollover events", the Army failed to foresee what could go wrong.

The investigation also determined standing orders and directions had not been properly 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, Sgt McKelvie would probably still be alive today."

Sgt McKelvie's sister Jacqueline Welsh said her brother was a "very outgoing person who loved spending time with his family".

“He was always there for you whenever you needed him," she said.

"He loved his motorbike, and he loved sport and the outdoors. He was full of action."

After the inquest into his death in June, Ms Welsh said the MOD had "failed their family".

"This has exposed the MoD for all of its failings, the public should know about this," she had said.

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