‘Flawed’ Army training contributed to Max George’s death, coroner rules

An Army officer’s accidental death during a training exercise was contributed to by “flawed” training and a faulty alarm system, a coroner has concluded.

Second Lt Max George, 26, died on Salisbury Plain after struggling with a piece of “snagged” kit as he left a Warrior armoured vehicle, which then reversed into him, an inquest into his death heard.

Victoria Neale, who represented George’s family, said the inquest provided his loved ones with “important answers” and provided a “degree of accountability”.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) vowed to respond to points raised during the inquest and said it had already made several safety improvements.

The inquest heard that George, from Durham, was stood by the open rear door of the Warrior on 21 June 2022 when the exercise commander gave the order to reverse the armoured vehicle.

The 26-year-old died at the scene near Everleigh from multiple traumatic injuries, Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner’s Court was told.

Recording a narrative conclusion, Coroner Ian Singleton said the training of the student commander who gave the command had been flawed.

Brigadier Giles Malec, head of the Army Safety Group, said the service recognised “the seriousness of the failures which led to Max’s tragic death” and would “look to rectify any additional failures identified”. He apologised to the family on the second day of the inquest.

Warrior vehicles are no longer allowed to reverse with the rear door open and visual checks are required before any movement.