Army rapped over 'beasting' death of Marine after gruelling forced punishment march

A Royal Marine died during a gruelling training exercise on the hottest day of the year  -  hours after being sent on a punishment run.

Benjamin Poole, 26, was taking part in selection tests for the SAS and SBS when he collapsed.

The soldier was carrying a 55lb pack during the 18-mile yomp through mountains, leading to fears he may have died from heat exhaustion on a day when temperatures hit 27c (80f).

He was reported missing after failing to arrive at a checkpoint in the Brecon Beacons on Monday afternoon.

An Army search team found his body after tracking down his personal location device.

It is believed Marine Poole was among dozens of soldiers on the selection course who were given a dawn punishment run before setting off on the hike.

They were ordered to run two laps  -  around three miles  -  of their camp in Mid-Wales at 6am after one of them dropped a chocolate wrapper on a 14-mile march the previous day.

One military source said: ' Everyone is absolutely gutted about Benjy's death. He was a good solid guy. I believe he served in Afghanistan. There should definitely be an inquiry.

'They didn't take into consideration the fact that the weather was so hot.

'We know the selection process has to be hard  -  that's why the SAS and the SBS are the best in the world.

'But all the lads on the selection exercise had already proved themselves in theatre  -  and they're all fit.

Soldiers take part in an exercise in the Brecon Beacons like the one in which Marine Benjamin Poole died (file picture)

'The chief instructor would have had the power to stop this exercise.

'Benjy was absolutely exhausted. He should not have started the walk.'

He continued: 'There were up to 40 soldiers taking part and they were absolutely knackered after three weeks of day and night exercises.

'But the mentality is you have to crack on.'

The source said the hike involved the soldiers going over a series of hilltop checkpoints using only rough ground.

They had to average four kilometres (2.5miles) an hour, with the maximum time allowed being seven hours.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said it would be ' inappropriate' to comment on the cause of Marine Poole's death until after a post-mortem examination.

Suggestions that he may have died from heat exhaustion were ' speculation', she added.

Dyfed-Powys Police and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating the death.

Around 200 soldiers from Army and Royal Marine units began the latest selection process. Only a handful will be chosen for the SAS or SBS.

Most of those who join the Special Boat Service are from the Royal Marines, while the Special Air Service generally comprises ex-Paratroopers.