LONDON, UK (29 Jan 2007) -- The army sent a diver to his death in a suit they knew was faulty and then presented his widow with a bill for the ambulance, an inquest will hear. Sgt Bill McLellan, 34, who was serving with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, drowned on a 2004 training exercise in Germany after his standard-issue apparatus, known as Saba, sprang a leak and his radio failed. The case will fuel concerns that the armed forces are not properly equipped. His widow, Elaine, from Kingston-on-Thames, told reporters: "I hold the MoD (Ministry of Defence) wholly responsible for my husband's death." Lawyers for Mrs McLellan will reveal at Westminster coroner's court that the apparatus was condemned as antiquated and dangerous in a secret MoD inquiry in 2002. The inquiry, by Commodore Richard Pelly of the then Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, demanded that the Saba equipment be replaced. But this did not happen for several years. That inquiry was ordered after two other military divers drowned using Saba gear. The MoD admitted liability for Sgt McLellan's death last year. The inquest into the case has been opened and adjourned four times before this weeks full hearing. Part of the delay arose because the officers leading the exercise in which Sgt McLellan died were court-martialled for manslaughter. | | Sgt. Bill McLellan, 34, drowned while diving with equipment the British army knew was faulty. They were acquitted after the case collapsed. Since liability has already been admitted, the coroner is expected to reach a narrative verdict. The MoD has apologised for sending the ambulance bill. SOURCE - Evening StandardSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
