Catterick Soldier Dies In Wales

20 July 2016, 10:36 | Updated: 20 July 2016, 15:03

An infantry soldier from Catterick has died while on a training exercise.

Josh Hoole's family have paid tribute to the 26 year-old from Ecclefechan near Lockerbie in Scotland.

His grandad says he was a 'beautiful grandson' and 'superfit boy.'

The Rifles soldier was taking part in pre-course training on the UK's hottest day of the year so far when he died yesterday.

Three soldiers died during an SAS training exercise in the Brecon Beacons on one of the hottest days of 2013.

Lance Corporals Edward Maher and Craig Roberts were pronounced dead on the Brecon Beacons after suffering heatstroke during a 16-mile (26km) SAS test march.

Corporal James Dunsby died from multiple organ failure in Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital more than two weeks later.

A coroner ruled that neglect played a part in their deaths.

The Met Office said temperatures on Tuesday peaked at just above 30C (86F) in Brecon.

In March the Health and Safety Executive announced it would issue a so-called Crown Censure to the Ministry of Defence over the 2013 deaths.

It said the MoD had failed to manage risks during the training exercise and added that it had worked since the deaths to ensure lessons were learned and future risks reduced.

Following Tuesday's death, an Army spokeswoman said:
"We can confirm that a soldier from ITC Catterick died on 19 July while conducting pre-course training for the Platoon Sergeants' Battle Course in Brecon.''

Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin told the House of Commons Defence Committee that she wanted to express her sorrow at the "very sad death'' and to "make the commitment that the Ministry of Defence will, of course, be undertaking a full investigation and will share that with the committee''.