MoD censured over soldier's death in armoured vehicle accident

Summarised from 5 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 3 Nov, 18:22 · Archive

The Ministry of Defence has been issued a Crown Censure after Private Jethro Watson-Pickering, 23, died during a training exercise on Salisbury Plain in October 2021.

Private Jethro Watson-Pickering, 23, from the 1st Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment, died on 15 October 2021 during Exercise Iron Storm on Salisbury Plain. He was driving a CVR(T) Scimitar-variant armoured vehicle as part of a simulated escape from attack when, at approximately 11.50am, the vehicle's gun barrel struck a tree. The impact caused the turret to rotate rapidly, and a rear storage bin attached to the turret struck Private Watson-Pickering in the head, causing fatal injuries.

The Health and Safety Executive investigated the incident and issued the Ministry of Defence with a Crown Censure, the highest sanction available to it for a Crown body and an official reprimand. The HSE found that the MoD had failed to meet its duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act. HSE inspector Emma O'Hara said the MoD had "failed to do so, which has cost a young man his life", adding that whilst realistic exercises are essential to military training, "this does not mean employees should face uncontrolled or inadequately controlled risks".

Accepting the censure, General Sir Roly Walker, chief of the general staff, apologised to the family and said: "Jethro should never have died. We failed him and those who loved him." He added that the Army "failed to properly assess and control the risks, failed in our training and instruction, and failed to provide a safe vehicle". He said significant changes had been made since his death to prevent such incidents recurring. Private Watson-Pickering's mother, Moira Watson-Pickering, said she hoped lessons would be learned to prevent another family suffering similar loss, and remembered her son as having "a zest for life".

How it is being reported

• MoD reprimanded after soldier killed by armoured vehicle turret during exerciseMoD reprimanded by HSE after soldier Private Jethro Watson-Pickering, 23, died in a Scimitar accident during Salisbury Plain training on October 15, 2021.Gazette & Herald · 4 Nov, 11:08
• MoD reprimanded after soldier killed by armoured vehicle turret during exerciseMoD reprimanded by HSE after soldier Private Jethro Watson-Pickering, 23, died in a Scimitar accident during Salisbury Plain training on October 15, 2021.Swindon Advertiser · 4 Nov, 11:08
• MoD reprimanded after soldier killed by armoured vehicle turret during exerciseMoD reprimanded by HSE after soldier Private Jethro Watson-Pickering, 23, died in a Scimitar accident during Salisbury Plain training on October 15, 2021.Wiltshire Times · 4 Nov, 11:08
• Ministry of Defence admits soldier death failingsThe MoD has been censured after Pte Jethro Watson-Pickering died following a training exercise.BBC Wiltshire · 3 Nov, 18:09
• ‘He had a zest for life’: Mum’s tribute to soldier son after MoD safety failingsThe family of soldier Jethro Watson-Pickering hopes lessons will be learned after the MoD was censured over safety failings linked to his death.Salisbury Journal · 3 Nov, 16:45
• MoD reprimanded after soldier killed by armoured vehicle turret during exerciseMoD reprimanded by HSE after soldier Private Jethro Watson-Pickering, 23, died in a Scimitar accident during Salisbury Plain training on October 15, 2021.Salisbury Journal · 3 Nov, 15:59

In this story: Private Jethro Watson-Pickering · Ministry of Defence · Health and Safety Executive · 1st Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment · Salisbury Plain · General Sir Roly Walker · Emma O'Hara · Moira Watson-Pickering

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