Cadet team 'had safety assurance'

Kaylee McIntosh died in a cadet exercise accident

An Army cadet leader has told an inquiry he had been given assurances over safety before a boating exercise in which a teenage cadet died.

Kaylee McIntosh, 14, of Fyvie, Aberdeenshire, drowned after a boat upturned on Loch Carnan, South Uist, on the Western Isles last year.

David Taylor said he was told there would be enough space on boats to collect anyone who fell overboard.

The fatal accident inquiry (FAI) is taking place in Stornoway, Lewis.

Mr Taylor, a 2nd Battalion Highlanders Army Cadet Force Commander at the time of the incident, said he had asked the exercise leader, Major George McCallum, about the use of safety boats.

I have never had any occasion to doubt Maj McCallum's integrity David Taylor Witness

Mr Taylor said that although there was no separate safety boat on the exercise, he was told there would be enough space on the participating boats in the event of an accident.

Mr Taylor said: "The cadets were to be taken in three boats, and I asked George how the safety boat would work in that arrangement.

"He confirmed to me that that was a safe arrangement where the boats would act as safety boats for each other, with each having the capacity to uplift capsized people from other boats."

Mr Taylor told Simon Di Rollo QC, representing Kaylee's family, he accepted his share of responsibility for the incident.

Lifejackets 'appropriate'

Mr Di Rollo said: "Nobody seems to be taking much responsibility for this, it all seems to be shifting to Mr McCallum.

"Do you agree that other people were responsible too?"

Mr Taylor said: "Yes sir."

Mr Di Rollo asked: "Including yourself?"

"Yes sir," he said.

Mr Taylor said he was given assurances by Maj McCallum that the lifejackets for the exercise were "appropriate" for use by the cadets.

He said he thought that the power boats used on the exercise were only on short-term loan to the cadets, when they had in fact been gifted permanently.

'So dangerous'

He said he was opposed to the cadets receiving the boats permanently due to the cost of maintaining them.

Mr Di Rollo said: "I suggest to you that an activity of this kind, so different and so dangerous, should have been discussed in a lot more detail. Do you agree?"

Mr Taylor: "In hindsight I agree with that, yes."

Mr Taylor was asked by procurator fiscal David Teale whether he had any reason to doubt Maj McCallum.

He said: "No. Maj McCallum had dealt with many situations - disciplinary situations, child protection situations, and very difficult ones.

"I have never had any occasion to doubt Maj McCallum's integrity."

The inquiry continues.