Army officials have acknowledged they “didn’t do enough” to safeguard Staff Sergeant John McKelvie, who tragically died following a vehicle crash during a training exercise at the country’s largest military base.
McKelvie, 51, was driving a Jackal vehicle at Catterick Garrison in January 2019 when it lost traction and rolled multiple times down a steep hill in an area known as “The Land of Nod.” Despite being airlifted to a hospital, McKelvie succumbed to his injuries six days later.
On Thursday, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued the Ministry of Defence (MoD) with a Crown Censure, the highest penalty allowed for a government body, acknowledging significant safety lapses in McKelvie’s case.
General Roly Walker, an Army spokesperson, accepted the findings and issued an apology: “I apologise unreservedly for failing to maintain the safety standards rightly expected of the British Army. Staff Sergeant John McKelvie died because we didn’t do enough to protect him from the risk of death.”
An HSE investigation revealed that the risk assessments conducted at Catterick were “not suitable and sufficient.” The report highlighted that while the training exercise involved hazardous activities, the primary issue was the Army’s lack of oversight. It noted that the training program progressed too quickly, denying participants the time needed to develop critical skills and expertise to handle such risks.
General Walker further expressed remorse: “We failed John, and I am deeply sorry. We are committed to learning from this to ensure this never happens again—to another family, another regiment, or another group of friends.”
McKelvie’s sister, Jacqueline Welsh, spoke fondly of him: “John was a very outgoing person who loved spending time with his family. He was always there for you whenever you needed him. He loved his motorbike, sport, and the outdoors. He was full of action.”
The tragic incident has spurred the Army to reassess its safety protocols and training procedures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
