Army admits safety failures over Royal Regiment of Scotland soldier's death on exercise

The Army failed to take proper safety precautions when running a live-fire exercise which resulted in a soldier's death, the Deputy Chief of the General Staff has admitted.

The Ministry of Defence was censured with the maximum sanction from the Health and Safety Executive following the death of Private Conor McPherson, who was accidentally shot during night-time training.

Pte McPherson, 24, of 3rd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, had been training at the Heely Dod firing range in Otterburn on 22 August 2016.

He was part of a team of five infanteers who had been shooting at remote controlled targets as they manoeuvred on foot through the moorland firing range and were using live rounds and night vision technology.

He was accidentally shot in the back of the head by a fellow soldier at around 23:00 and died at the scene.

The HSE found:

:: The planning and conduct of the exercise were poor, with an ineffective system to monitor the management arrangements mandated within the MOD’s own procedures.

:: There should have been an additional supervisor with the soldiers on the night of the incident, due to their lack of experience when carrying out night-time firing.

:: Mandated night-time specific safety tasks were not carried out prior to firing commencing.

:: Incorrect and unauthorised night vision equipment was being used by some soldiers.

:: Officers who were not sufficiently experienced in controlling such an activity and were not properly mentored or supervised to deal with an exercise of such complexity.

Responding to the HSE's findings, the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Dame Sharon Nesmith, said: "I, on behalf of the Army, am deeply sorry for failing Pte Conor McPherson.

"I unreservedly apologise to his family for Conor's tragic death. We 100% accept the Health and Safety Executive findings.

"We failed to plan, organise, control and monitor the critical safety aspects of this live-firing training event.

"Conor's death was preventable. We care hugely about our soldiers – above all else their health and wellbeing.

"On this occasion we got it very wrong."

Lt Gen Nesmith said the Army had since addressed each of the failings.

She said: "We took action in the immediate aftermath and have continued to apply lessons since.

"We very much regret Conor's death. His legacy will be our continual drive to do better.

"On behalf of the MoD and the Army, I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends."