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A coroner has concluded that “flawed” training and a faulty alarm system contributed to the accidental death of an Army officer during a training exercise on Salisbury Plain. Second Lt Max George, 26, died on 21 June 2022 after he became caught on equipment while exiting a Warrior armoured vehicle, which subsequently reversed into him.
Inquest Findings on Safety Failures
The inquest at Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner’s Court heard that the incident occurred near Everleigh when the exercise commander ordered the vehicle to reverse while the rear door remained open. Coroner Ian Singleton recorded a narrative conclusion, stating that the training provided to the student commander who issued the order was flawed. Furthermore, the court was told that the vehicle’s alarm system had been faulty since 2018 and had not been repaired despite being reported.
Lt Col Graham Watson, who led a service inquiry into the tragedy, testified that a functioning alarm would have likely alerted the driver to the open rear doors, prompting them to stop. He noted that the sound of the officer exiting the vehicle might have led the commander to mistakenly believe the doors had been closed. The coroner also highlighted that there was no effective maintenance regime for the specific vehicle involved, which was not typically used for disembarking troops.
Ministry of Defence Response
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has expressed its commitment to addressing the issues raised during the inquest. Brigadier Giles Malec, head of the Army Safety Group, apologized to the family on the second day of the proceedings, acknowledging the severity of the failures that led to the death. The MOD stated that it has already implemented several safety improvements, including a new policy that prohibits Warrior vehicles from reversing while the rear door is open and mandates visual checks before any movement.
The MOD also noted that it plans to replace its entire fleet of Warrior vehicles starting in 2027. Coroner Singleton indicated that he would decide at a later date whether to issue a formal report to prevent future deaths.
Remembering Second Lt Max George
Victoria Neale, representing the family of the deceased, stated that the inquest provided his loved ones with “important answers” and a “degree of accountability.” She expressed hope that the safety measures, if strictly followed, would mitigate the risk of similar tragedies in the future.
During the proceedings, the court heard tributes to the officer, who was a member of the 5 Rifles and was participating in Exercise Combat Spirit at the time of his death. Lt Col Jim Hadfield OBE described him as “a star that burned bright” and praised his “selfless compassion.” A graduate of Newcastle and Glasgow universities, Second Lt George had previously been awarded the Queen’s Medal for being the best cadet during his training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
