Pen y Fan. Photo: Herby CC-BY-SA-3.0

The Ministry of Defence has named the third soldier who died after collapsing on south Wales’s highest mountain.

Corporal James Dunsby was taking part in a Special Air Service selection exercise earlier this month on Pen y Fan when he and two colleagues were overcome in temperatures of 29C.

Lance Corporal Craig Roberts, 24, died on the mountainside on 13 July and Edward Maher, 31, died hospital in Merthyr Tydfil about three hours after being rescued during selection training.

Cpl Dunsby died this week, more than two weeks after being rescued.

In a statement issued through the MoD, his family said: “James was and will remain a dearly loved, son, brother and husband.

“He had the uniquely wonderful ability to endear, enchant and captivate all who he met with his naughty sense of humour and highly intelligent wit.

“With James as your friend you were ensured loyalty, strength, allegiance, protection and most of all a damn good laugh.

“James adored the Army and believed so passionately in his duty as a protector of Queen and country and of the realm.

“James was so dearly loved by so many and will be sorely missed.

“Hurrah and Huzzah for James Dunsby; a greater man you could not meet.”

Pen y Fan, the 886m (2,907ft) highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons, is the scene of the gruelling Fan Dance test, which sees soldiers take part in a gruelling timed double ascent and descent of the peak.