Gunner Psaila inquiry: court told there were no life jackets in AFM stores
An army first aider who was present during the training exercise which cost the life of Gunner Matthew Psaila at Chadwick Lakes last February, told a court today that the soldiers were not wearing life rings in the water and there were no life jackets in the AFM stores.
Gunner Johann Cachia said he had been in the AFM since 2003 and followed various first aid courses.
He said that at the time of the incident, the group of soldiers were in the water in a small tunnel and he was standing on top. Nobody had told him how deep the water was.
Gnr Cachia said that when Gunner Psaila was noticed to be missing, he jumped into the water and found it to be extremely cold, to the extent that it felt like his heart would stop.
He moved into the tunnel and about two to three metres in, he felt something by his feet. He went under and pulled up Gunner Psaila.
Gunner Cachia said he was a good swimmer and swam in winter and summer, but he still felt the water to be very cold and had to make an extra effort to pull Gunner Psaila.
Psaila and another soldier who had also encountered difficulties were placed in sleeping bags to avoid hypothermia.
Gunner Cachiasaid all available safety equipment had been taken with them to the exercise but there were no life jackets in the stores, only a few life rings.
Gunner Patrick Borg, who had been in Gnr Psaila's section, said he had trained in Italy and experienced colder water than at Chadwick lakes. He said nobody was wearing life rings during the exercise because they hindered movement.
Problem areas had been noted before the exercise and the soldiers had been warned that there could be places where they would not be able to cope with and would have to swim.
The soldiers moved in the water clutching a rope. One of them said he was getting tired and was immediately pulled up.
At one point, Gunner Borg said, he saw a commotion and went over to help. A headcount was made and Gunner Psaila was missing. They started shouting Psaila,Psaila, and a search was launched.
Lawyer Manuel Mallia, appearing parte civile for Gunner Psaila's family, asked what shoes the soldiers were wearing when they were in the water. Gunner Borg said he did not verify since there was little difference between the AFM issue and what the soldiers bought privately.
Replying to further questions, he said the AFM issue shoes were made of leather and water which went into them stayed there,while in the case of the other shoes the water drained out.
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T Ganado
Jun 17th 2009, 22:53
The failings seem to be going up the chain of command. There is no reference to a risk assessment, no means to mitigate risk and no personal protective equipment. A total overhaul of the way H&S issues are dealt with is required at all levels and in all sectors to avoid these unnecessary losses of life.
p.grima
Jun 17th 2009, 22:41
May he rest in peace. This life has been wasted away at such a young age.
I used to think that ALL soldiers have to know how to swim; If that is not the case, swimming lessons for all personnel who need them would be a very wise investment, and better than any life ring or other safety equipment.
Mike Micallef
Jun 17th 2009, 21:26
the question remains why were these people exposed to such freezing water without being prepared for it? granted, army training is army training, but precautions and safeguards are necessary. playing heroes does not give anybody the right to be cavalier with the lives of fresh from school young boys who are carried away by their vision of army life.
The responsibility lies squarely with whoever takes the decisions, and the top brass of the army should be ashamed of itself for trying to just brush this incident under the carpet. and due process of law in the courts is not " hunt for a scapegoat".
lgalea
Jun 17th 2009, 21:14
Spending millions on illegal immigrants, providing illegal immigrants with life jackets, and no life jackets were provided to oru own soldiers, our own blood.
And then there are those who would be surprised when we say that Maltese citizens are being treated as second-class citizens in their own country when compared to illegal immigrants!!!!
Y. Sammut
Jun 17th 2009, 18:35
Maybe there are some who expect that the budget for AFM is on the same scale as the US Army. Given that the funds are scant and that some of the budget is taken up by activities related to illegal immigration, I am indeed impressed by the results obtained by Our Army.
In common with all other Maltese, my sorrow for Gunner Psaila's demise knows no bounds, but I would never dream of blaming it on negligence of the commanding officers; these men train hard and live hard because they know that when Malta appeals to them, they shall need to count on their experience to save the day. In fact, Gunner Cachia's action is nothing short of heroic - he could have joined in gunner Psaila's fate but I am sure that he did not spare himself in the affort to save his comrade.
I sincerely hope that this enquiry does not turn out to be just a hunt for a scapegoat, but instead lead to bringing to light the shortcomings of funds and suitable equipment to Our Army, as well as the adoption of safer training procedures to avoid unnecessary loss of life within the ranks in future.
Bertie O'Cassey
Jun 17th 2009, 16:35
"Problem areas had been noted before the exercise and the soldiers had been warned that there could be places where they would not be able to cope with and would have to swim" If this statement is true and can be corroborated by everyone then the issue should be closed!!!!!
Did Gnr Psaila air the problem that he couldn't swim?????
I just hope that this is not just a way to blame someone to get closure, cause no jury nor judge can given closure!!!!
Mike Micallef
Jun 17th 2009, 16:07
It seems as if the saying " Accidents do not happen by accident!" is true.
May the tragic death of this fine young man bring to the surface the many shortcomings and shortcuts that are taken with health and safety requirements in this country.