Soldier’s gun training death in Highlands ‘avoidable’ – inquiry

His report said the snipers had gathered in the shipping container on the evening of 1 November following a day of shooting.

L/Cpl Spencer was standing while holding his rifle vertically with the butt resting on the toe cap of his boot.

He was occasionally resting his chin on the suppressor and gently moving the rifle up and down on his boot.

Sheriff Aitken said from that position it was impossible for L/Cpl Spencer to manually operate the trigger of the rifle, yet without warning the rifle fired.

He said his death could have been avoided if precautions had been taken.

These included supervision of L/Cpl Spencer during the unloading of his weapon, also correct use of command words for the snipers and the following of safety procedures – and L/Cpl Spencer not holding his rifle close to his body.

The sheriff said: “L/Cpl Spencer’s death serves as a powerful reminder to those involved in the handling of weapons and those involved in potentially risky activity of any sort that actions can have far reaching consequences.

“Care needs to be taken in relation to the small things and the routine tasks, not just the bigger picture.”