Fatal Incident During SAS Endurance Event
A 68-year-old man has died while participating in an endurance event used in SAS training exercises.
Emergency services were dispatched to Pen y Fan, the highest peak in south Wales, located within the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, also known as the Brecon Beacons, on Saturday at 11:00 BST.
The individual was competing in the 15-mile (24 km) Fan Dance when concerns about his wellbeing were raised on Pen y Fan.
Investigation and Official Statements
Dyfed-Powys Police are conducting an investigation into the incident but have confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious.
Race organisers, Avalanche Endurance Events (AEE), expressed condolences to the man's family and stated they would not provide further comments at this time.
The Fan Dance is described as the world's oldest and most renowned SAS selection test.
AEE notes that the race typically takes between three and seven hours to complete, depending on weather conditions. On the day of the event, temperatures near Brecon were approximately 20°C.
Organisers' Response
In an official statement, AEE said:
"At this immediate time our focus and thoughts are with the family, therefore, AEE, nor I as the March Director will issue any further press release until the family is in possession of the full timeline of events and approve any further messaging.
Our team is working on this at the time of posting.
I wish to express my thanks to the Air Ambulance Service, Brecon Mountain Rescue Team and AEE's Mountain Safety Team for their swift response and professionalism."
Police Statement
Dyfed-Powys Police provided the following statement:
"We received a call following welfare concerns for a male on Pen y Fan at around 11am on Saturday 4 July.
Officers attended alongside Mountain Rescue and the Ambulance Service. Sadly, the 68-year-old man passed away. His next of kin are aware and his death is not being treated as suspicious."
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