A SOLDIER has told an inquest how he felt compelled to continue with a “full kit” SAS test march in searing heat despite being told by a medic to stop because his life was risk.

Identified only as 1W, the soldier described the  dizziness, confusion and nose bleed he experienced after running out of water during the march across Pen Y Fan on the Brecon Beacons.

 Though a medic told him to stop, 1W continued after the chief instructor to the exercise was consulted.

 1W subsequently collapsed with damage to his kidneys and heart caused by heat illness.

Seventy eight soldiers carrying backpacks weighing at least 49lb had just over eight hours to complete the 16 mile march in July 2013.

Several soldiers suffered heat illness and three – reservists Lance Corporal Craig Roberts, 24, Lance Corporal Edward Maher and Corporal James Dunsby, both 31 – died.

The inquest in  Solihull has heard a claim that the march was not called off  - despite heat forecast to reach 27C (80.6F) - because of the “paperwork” involved.

In evidence, 1W  said he could not recall advice about the heat ahead of the march.

Nor was he aware that there would be no water at two of the five checkpoints the soldiers had to pass through.

Starting to struggle during the early stages of the march, 1W said he quickly finished his water and noticed that that his urine was dark – a recognised sign of dehydration.

With no water at the next checkpoint, he said he indicated to supervisors that that he was not right, but couldn’t recall being asked if he had water.

Later, the inquest heard, another soldier found 1W  slumped on his backpack.

The inquest heard 1W was "dizzy, weak, confused and sick" with a nose bleed when helped to a stagnant pool.

At the next checkpoint, a medic withdrew 1W from the march.

Admitting to relief at this, 1W told the inquest he also felt glad when told to carry on, believing voluntary withdrawal meant he couldn’t re-take the march.

Climbing Pen Y Fan, 1W  was given a drink by a civilian walker but soon collapsed to be walked off the mountain by another hiker and taken to hospital for treatment.

A second soldier - 1X – told the inquest how he, too, was helped by hikers having suffered heat illness.

1X told the inquest he had set off very quickly having not been given advice on pacing himself.

In evidence, 1X outlined how started to feel sick and stopped sweating ahead of seeking shelter from the sun and falling unconscious.

Found by two hikers, 1X was also evacuated to hospital.

Another soldier - 2J - said he was withdrawn by medics when three-quarters of the way through the march.  

At a checkpoint, the medics sat 2J in the shade and poured water over him ahead of diagnosing heat injury.

Withdrawn from the march, 2J spent several hours recovering at the checkpoint.  

Soldier 2P described his eyes feeling as if they were "rolling around" in his head before he collapsed with heat exhaustion.

In evidence, 2P said medics didn't ask him how he was coping or check his water intake.

Instead, he said, he was asked where he thought he was on the map before being encouraged on to the next grid reference.

 He collapsed shortly afterwards having started "zigzagging".

Under cross-examination, 2P said the marchers could have worn clothing more suited to the heat and started earlier in the day with more water stops.

The inquest continues.