Charlie Gould, 29, is suing the Ministry of Defense for 236,000 British pounds (8.3 billion dong), alleging negligence by his superiors for failing to adequately train him on potential injuries and for delaying treatment.

In 3/2020, Charlie, then 23, joined the Royal Marines. He passed demanding commando fitness and health tests during the first 10 weeks of training, described as fit and ready for a yomp – a long-distance march with full equipment.

Royal Marines in a "yomp" across the Cairngorms in the Scottish Highlands. *Photo: Royal Marines*

During the five-hour yomp on the morning of 10/6/2020, Charlie began to feel ill and progressively weakened. The recruit ultimately suffered heatstroke due to exhaustion, leading to injury. He collapsed on a hilltop while carrying his backpack and other equipment.

Charlie's lawyer asserts that his client suffered "heatstroke due to exhaustion" and, due to delayed treatment, sustained permanent injuries, forcing him to leave the Royal Marines.

Specifically, despite an emergency medical service being approximately 30 minutes away by car, he was not immediately taken there. A doctor examined him the following day, and blood tests revealed elevated levels of creatine kinase (an enzyme released into the blood when muscles are damaged).

This led to Charlie's hospitalization and treatment for five days. He suffered injuries accompanied by disorder and anxiety, resulting in his discharge from the Royal Marines.

The plaintiff's side alleges the Ministry of Defense failed to provide adequate training on the risk of "climate-related injuries" during such exercises.

Ministry of Defense: Training day temperature did not exceed 14 degrees C

The defendant in the lawsuit, the UK Ministry of Defense, refutes these allegations, stating that Charlie received proper treatment and did not suffer heatstroke but only "mild" heat exhaustion. They reported that the temperature during the march did not exceed 14 degrees C.

Annie Brookes, representing the Ministry of Defense, stated that a yomp is part of standard military training. The Ministry has an obligation to train and prepare the plaintiff and members of the Armed Forces generally. "The Ministry asserts that a risk assessment for the exercise was conducted, and a dynamic risk assessment took place throughout the exercise and test," she said.

She denied the yomp was carried out in extreme heat, as the average summer temperature in the UK is 15-25 degrees C.

"The plaintiff was treated on-site by qualified personnel, removed from the training area, and rehydrated in the recovery zone. The defendant's actions complied with best practices," she affirmed.

The case is scheduled for trial in 2027, unless it is resolved out of court.

Hai Thu (According to Telegraph)