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.