Ministry of Defence 'failed' British soldier killed during training exercise on Salisbury Plain

Ministry of Defence 'failed' British soldier killed during training exercise on Salisbury Plain Private Jethro Watson-Pickering, of the 1st Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment, died in 2021 Sign up to the News Newsletter I agree to receive updates and information about my account, the GB News Community, and related products and services from GB News. Email address Sign up By signing up you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and Community Rules.

Thank you for signing up! See the latest from GB News here . Choose GB News on Google - add us as a preferred source Choose GB News Support GB News Champion free speech and independent journalism while unlocking exclusive benefits. Support us The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has admitted it "failed" a British soldier who died during a training exercise on Salisbury Plain. Private Jethro Watson-Pickering was taking part in an exercise known as Iron Storm at the British Army’s training area in Wiltshire on October 15, 2021.

The 23-year-old of the 1st Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment died from head injuries after the gun barrel of his armoured vehicle struck a tree. Now, Chief of the General Staff Sir Roly Walker has issued an official apology, saying he was "deeply sorry" for the Army's failings. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The soldier, from Boosbeck, near Redcar in Teesside, had been driving a Scimitar-variant Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) (CVR(T)) armoured fighting vehicle during the exercise.

At around 11.50am, the incident vehicle was escaping "attack" when the gun barrel, protruding beyond the side of the vehicle, struck a tree. On impact, the turret rotated very quickly and the rear storage bin attached to it struck Private Watson-Pickering’s head, causing fatal injuries. Sadly, Private Watson-Pickering was pronounced dead at the scene. Private Jethro Watson-Pickering died during the exercise | YORKSHIRE REGIMENT The Health and Safety Executive launched an investigation and eventually found no safe system of work for driving the vehicle during the exercise.

Risk assessments failed to identify the danger to the driver from the turret rotating without warning. As a result, investigators found no control measures were put in place to stop the driver’s head from being struck by a storage box if the barrel was accidentally hit and the turret turned. The investigation also found that risk assessments were not properly reviewed after similar incidents in previous years. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Nigel Farage appoints Troubles veteran who braved 'most dangerous posting for British Army' as Reform's defence chief British troops to participate in major multinational wargame to prepare for peace in Ukraine Army veteran, 76, takes on 1,000-mile Poppy Express challenge to raise thousands for Royal British Legion The incident took place on Salisbury Plain | GETTY The HSE issued a Crown Censure to the MoD, the maximum sanction available, which serves as an official reprimand.

Inspector Emma O’Hara said: "Our thoughts are first and foremost with the family and friends of Private Jethro Watson-Pickering, who must live with his loss. "Just like any other employer, the MoD has a responsibility to take all reasonably practicable steps to control the risks to the safety of its employees. In this case, it failed to do so, which has cost a young man his life. "While realistic exercises are an essential component of military training, this does not mean employees should face uncontrolled or inadequately controlled risks.

"Training exercises must be properly planned, with risks identified and mitigated, to prevent future tragic incidents like this one." Chief of the General Staff General Sir Roly Walker, has issued an official apology | GETTY Sir Roly Walker said: "My thoughts are first and foremost with Jethro Watson-Pickering's family and friends. Jethro was just 23 years old when he died, with his whole life ahead of him. I am deeply sorry for their loss and for the Army's failings that contributed to his death.

“We fully accept the Health and Safety Executive's Crown Censure findings. "We failed to properly assess and control the risks, failed in our training and instruction, and failed to provide a safe vehicle. Jethro should never have died. We failed him and those who loved him. “We have made significant changes since his death to prevent such a tragedy happening again. But no change can undo what happened. "Our responsibility is to make sure the lessons endure in how we train, lead and look after our people every day.

“I offer my sincere condolences to Jethro's family and friends. I know words cannot lessen their loss, but the Army remembers Jethro, accepts where we failed him, and will not forget the lessons of his death." Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter News Officers recover £80MILLION cocaine stash after lorry driver makes tip off at burger van News Labour apologises to young Ukrainian refugees after 'pushing' them to learn Russian News Apprentices dropping out of courses due to 'box-ticking' and 'weak' management, report warns News Pregnant Briton dies in Nigeria as devastated family set up fundraising page to bring body home News Halfords fined £600,000 after tyre fitter killed during roadside repair News World's 'greatest' military air show leaves RAF base at centre of terror probe News NHS nurse at heart of trans changing room row appeals court ruling on gender discrimination case News Birmingham councillors chant 'Free Palestine' after vote to ban Israel-linked investments Exclusive News How an 80s fashion revival created a 20-year British business success story News Appeal launched over controversial 125ft gas drilling rig near Scarborough News Ketchup sachets SAFE from EU diktats but Labour says any ban ‘would be our choice’ News Kellogg's removes rice... from Rice Krispies due to 'changing weather conditions' News UK set to face Christmas tree shortage after hottest ever summer as Britons warned they might miss out News Houses of Parliament could face 'Notre Dame-style fire' as renovation costs skyrocket News Out-of-work tree surgeon fined after demanding to see 'white British person' at job centre News Schoolgirl, 12, killed after being hit by double-decker bus in horror crash 'while on lunchbreak' News MI5 will not face contempt of court charges despite admitting its evidence was a lie News Ann Widdecombe's house goes on sale just months after brutal murder News Yorkshire power station could host one of Britain's largest data centres in deal worth billions News 'Do you want beef with the devil?'

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