A SOLDIER who took part in an SAS selection march in searing heat was stricken with a temperature of 105.8F  an inquest heard.

In evidence, a senior paramedic said the temperature of Cpl James Dunsby was the highest he had seen.

Anything over 104F can be life-threatening, the inquest heard, while a normal temperature is between 97F and 99F.

Cpl Dunsby, 31, L/Cpl Craig Roberts, 24, and L/Cpl Edward Maher, 31, died after suffering hyperthermia during the full kit distance march across the Brecon Beacons in 26.7C (80F) heat.

Several other soldiers suffered heat injuries.

Previously, the inquest, in Solihull, heard claims that the march was not called off because a cancellation would have created “too much paperwork”.

In evidence, soldiers described running out of water, collapsing in the heat and having to be helped by hikers.

A military medic said how L/Cpl Maher “seemed to be resting” on a hillside in the Brecon Beacons but was not breathing and cold to the touch.

The medic, known as 1N, said L/Cpl Maher was found close to a checkpoint “sitting in a completely natural position” clutching a water bottle in one hand and a half-eaten chocolate bar in the other.

1N started CPR and requested an immediate casualty evacuation battling for around 45 minutes to revive L/Cpl Maher who was pronounced dead shortly after an air ambulance arrived.

Earlier, the inquest heard how a hiker helped Cpl Dunsby by fanning him as he was stretchered down a Welsh hillside and holding his head to try to help him breathe.

A soldier helping to direct the march – and identified as 1K – told the inquest that Cpl Dunsby was unconscious and unresponsive.

But when the stretcher party reached a car park, the civilian ambulance that had been called was not there.

“We had to wait for the ambulance to arrive,” 1K said.

In a statement read to the court, a senior paramedic said Cpl Dunsby’s temperature was the highest he had ever encountered with his body seeming to be “shutting down”.

The inquest heard Cpl Dunsby’s temperature had been recorded as high as 105.8F as he displayed signs of “brain malfunction”  .

Cpl Dunsby’s pupils were dilated and glazed over.

Another march supervisor - 1M - described Cpl Dunsby’s breathing as “raspy” and his eyes as “rolled” to the back of his head.

“We cooled him to the best of our abilities with the water we had. Then we prepared the stretcher to evacuate him down towards the car park. We were aware an ambulance was on its way. The main priority was to get the casualty off the mountain.”

Questioned by the coroner, 1M conceded that “preparation”  marches might have helped the selection candidates acclimatise.

 The inquest continues.