The family of Sergeant Gavin Hillier, who was fatally shot by a fellow soldier during a night training exercise in 2021, is calling for a timely inquest after repeated delays. The incident occurred when a soldier with poor vision mistook Sgt Hillier for a target. The family seeks closure as the coroner's investigation remains unresolved five years later.
The mother of Sergeant Gavin Hillier, a 35-year-old soldier from the Welsh Guards , is seeking answers five years after her son was fatally shot by a fellow soldier during a night training exercise at the Castlemartin rifle range in Pembrokeshire on March 4, 2021.
The incident occurred when Guardsman 1, who was not wearing his prescribed contact lenses, mistook Sgt Hillier for a wooden target. Despite his poor vision, which had previously led to his initial rejection from the Welsh Guards before being allowed to join with corrective lenses, the soldier fired the fatal shot, killing Sgt Hillier almost instantly.
The father of two had served with distinction in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo and was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct medal by King Charles in 2019. His family, including his widow Karyn and sons Declan and Connor, have expressed frustration over the prolonged delays in the coroner's inquest. Karen Selway, Sgt Hillier's mother, has criticized the repeated postponements, stating that her grandson, who was 12 at the time of the tragedy, is now 18.
She urged the coroner to finalize the inquest this year, emphasizing the emotional toll on the family. Pembrokeshire Coroner Gareth Lewis has indicated that the inquest will take place between October 5, 2024, and January 29, 2027, but has not provided a definitive date. An investigation revealed that Army medics were unable to inform Guardsman 1's superiors about his vision issues due to medical confidentiality rules, placing the responsibility on the soldier to disclose his condition.
Sgt Hillier was acting as a safety supervisor during the exercise, wearing high-visibility gear, body armor, and a red glowstick on his helmet. However, the report highlighted that Guardsman 1's uncorrected eyesight severely impaired his ability to distinguish between Sgt Hillier and the wooden target. The report identified 14 contributing factors to the tragedy and made 20 recommendations to prevent similar incidents. The Health and Safety Executive is also conducting a separate investigation.
The Ministry of Defence acknowledged that not wearing corrective lenses significantly impacted Guardsman 1's ability to identify the correct target. In a heartfelt tribute, Sgt Hillier's family expressed gratitude for the time they shared with him and the legacy he left behind
Welsh Guards Military Training Accident Coroner's Inquest Vision Impairment Army Safety Protocols
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