Gunner Matthew Psaila died of hypothermia and not from drowning and his core body temperature was three degrees below normal, a doctor testified yesterday.
Forensic pathologist Mario Scerri told a court he had examined and discussed the 19-year-old soldier's condition with other doctors in hospital shortly after the gunner was admitted.
His core body temperature was 93.4°F - very low - and he had symptoms of hypothermia, which overtook him during the exercise.
The symptoms of hypothermia are uncontrollable shivering, weakness and loss of coordination, confusion, drowsiness and slowed breathing.
Gunner Psaila died following an army training exercise in Chadwick Lakes on February 13, 2009. The soldiers had to make their way through a tunnel in freezing cold water and, at one point, he went under and remained there for some minutes.
Dr Scerri explained yesterday that although the young soldier had swallowed copious amounts of water, which filled his lungs, that was not the reason he died.
There were other complications in the lungs caused by the dirty water. When he went to the scene, Dr Scerri said, he saw rats swimming in the water.
He was testifying in the compilation of evidence against Lieutenant Christian Vella, who was in charge of the training exercise, and Lance Bombardier Marvic Peregin, who was assisting Gunner Psaila's group of soldiers. The two are charged with the involuntary homicide of the soldier through negligence and committing a crime they were in duty bound to prevent.
Superintendent Carmelo Bartolo, one the police officers investigating the case, testified that the first thing he noticed when he arrived on the scene was the extreme cold. He was there with Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera and they were shivering so much they could hardly communicate, he recalled.
He spoke to Gunner Psaila's parents and his mother told him that her son could not swim. As far as she knew, he had told the army about it.
Supt. Bartolo said he checked the gunner's file and found nothing to suggest the victim could not swim. It was not clear whether the soldier had spoken up about his difficulty or not on the day of the incident, the witness added.
He said he questioned Bombardier Peregin about the safety equipment provided but there were no life jackets, no diver on site and no wetsuits.
When they pulled Gunner Psaila out of the water he was given CPR immediately and placed in a sleeping bag, accompanied by another soldier in an attempt to warm him up.
They then transported him to an army Land Rover and they met the ambulance further up the road but he was unconscious.
At this point, Gunner Psaila's father, Twanny, who was following the proceedings, broke down in tears. He was comforted by his lawyer, Jacqueline Tanti-Dougall.
The case continues.
Lawyer Joe Giglio and Gianluca Caruana Curran appeared for the accused. Police Inspector Joseph Agius prosecuted.