A decorated Royal Navy rating has died after collapsing during a fitness test he was told to complete or leave the force, an inquest has reported.
Ian Fleming, 53, died in 2020 during a jogging exercise on HMS Collingwood in Hampshire, as part of a training course to secure promotion to the rank of non-commissioned officer. Michelle Fleming, his widow, told the Portsmouth coroner’s court that she was given an “ultimatum” by naval officials, leaving her no choice but to participate.
Fleming, who received six medals during tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, was on his way to promotion but fearful of the fitness test, the inquest said. It involved an obstacle course, a log race and team building exercises. not complete it
