Gunner Psaila case: Inspector says accused were responsible for exercise
A police inspector who visited the scene at Chadwick Lakes where a soldier found himself in difficulty and later died, said in court today that the people responsible for the training exercise were the accused, but they were not responsible for the kit provided by the AFM.
Gunner Matthew Psaila died following the military exercise in Chadwick Lakes in February 2009.
Forensic pathologist Mario Scerri had told the Court that although Gunner Psaila had swallowed a copious amount of dirty, contaminated water, tests showed that he had died from hypothermia and not by drowning.
Lieutenant Christian Vella, who was in charge of the training exercise, and Lance Bombardier Marvic Peregin, who was assisting Gunner Psaila's group, have been charged with the involuntary homicide of Gunner Psaila through negligence and committing a crime they were in duty bound to prevent.
Inspector Robert Vella told the court today that he arrived at the scene soon after the incident on February 13, 2009. He was told at the time that Gnr Psaila was in intensive care and fighting for his life.
The police spoke to a number of army officers on the scene who told them that the soldiers under training were in three groups of 10, 10 and nine. The first group which went into the water under a bridge immediately experienced difficulties. Besides Psaila, another two soldiers to face difficulties were Gunners Galea and Borg Magro. A panic ensued. A head count and a line count were made and it was realised that Gnr Psaila was missing.
On the site was Gnr Cachia, who was a first aider. A number of ropes, life rings and other safety equipment was in a Land Rover. However people in the Land Rover did not have a good view of what was happening.
The water was very cold, muddy and dirty. After Gnr Psaila was pulled up and no ambulance showed up, Gnr Psaila was carried onto a Land Rover and then transferred to an ambulance in Mosta.
On cross examination from defence counsel Joe Giglio, Insp Vella said that the uniform and boots worn by the soldiers on exercise, as well as their rifles, were all provided by the AFM. This route march had been done before but he did not know how many times and when it was started.
The people responsible for the exercise were Lt Vella and Lance Bombarier Peregin, but they were not the ones who devised the exercise. Lt Vella had also given instructions to the safety officer. However they were not responsible for the kit given to the soldiers.
The hearing continues in January.
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ray borg
Nov 4th 2010, 13:42
Mike you don't seem to have any clue to what you're talking about, soldiers are meant to be in this type and much even worst conditions.Should they check the level, wind and temperature of the water if you have to be in such situation before anybody jump in to save you. I am with you if you talk about the poor and outdated equipment the officer were supplied with but we always have to wait for an accident to happen then we MIGHT take action.
Do you have any idea about the training held in Sandhurst for the officers ? ???? ask,,,, then think twice before you point your fingers. Training used to be held in Germany couple of years before and it was very much tougher then in what our soldiers are doing in Malta but I assure you it's got nothing to do with the tough training in Sandhurst. The accused officers have found themselves in more then enough problems for doing their duties needless pointing fingers.
Fred Beach
Nov 3rd 2010, 18:21
Armed forces exercises are to prepare the soldiers, sailors,airmen of some of the difficulties they might face in combat. "The harder we train, the easier we fight." is universally acknowledged. In the field things go wrong, no water, food low, no helicopter, what do we do know? The "fog of war" seems to have descended on this poor unfortunate volunteer on exercise. Doe`s anybody really think those in command don`t care, of course they do! Tragic accident is the only outcome.
B. Storace
Nov 3rd 2010, 15:22
Gunner Psaila, God rest his soul, died doing what he volunteerd to do. It's a question of misadventure. As a soldier it is/was expected of him and others to train for every and any eventuality.....this was a classic example of an exercise that went wrong. It is of no use blaming the officer in charge or the instructer. It was typical of what might happen during floods similar to what we have just experienced not so many days ago. Hopefully a lesson or two has been learnt and better equipment is being issued and is on hand to be used in any future eventuality where a life might be lost.
Mike Micallef
Nov 3rd 2010, 14:05
" This route march had been done before ..." Were the conditions the same when it had been done before? Were the water level, water temperature, wind etc the same, or was it prohibitevly dangerous on that day? If they were not supplied with the proper safety equipment, why did they go ahead anyhow? And what was the first aider and the equipment doing in the landrover where he could not see the boys during the exercise? Was it too cold for him outside? these are questions which still require answers - the loss of this young life demands these answers, even if only to prevent similar future negligenece and other loss of lives.