An inquiry into the 'tragic' death of a soldier shot dead during a Northumberland training exercise found multiple failings, an inquest heard.
Private Conor McPherson was taking part in a night time training exercise at Otterburn Training Area in August 2016 when he was shot by another soldier.
The 24-year-old, who was serving with A Company, 3 Scots - The Black Watch - was one of five soldiers moving toward a target and a weapon was discharged.
An inquest at Northumberland Coroner's Court heard Pvt McPherson fell to the ground and despite resuscitation attempts he was pronounced dead at the scene.
During five days of evidence the court heard firer two, who is believed to have fired the fatal shot, couldn't see Pvt McPherson or the target because it was "pitch black".
One of the five soldiers told the court he did not fire any shots from his rifle all evening as he could not see anything.
On the final day of evidence at Morpeth County Hall, jurors heard a service inquiry report found a number of failings in the lead up to the training exercise.
The findings of the Defence Authority's Service Inquiry were read out in court, with jurors told Pvt McPherson was killed in what "should have been a fairly routine live-firing night exercise".
In a statement read out in court, it stated: "The Fire Team level training he was conducting was early in an Infantry unit's training and progression and at the lower end of complexity.
"This perhaps makes his death even more tragic, but equally serves as a reminder of the unique dangers inherent in conducting realistic military training."
The court heard the rejection of the Range Action and Safety Plans (RSP) in July for failing 'gross error' checks might have provided early warning skills, while the programmed activity was also branded "ambitious".
The night Fire Team Attack (FTA) range was simple in its design and soldiers would have been familiar with the ground as they had used it during training earlier that day, the court heard.
"Although 3 Platoon had conducted night FTAs previously, this was to be the first time they had done FTAs at night without illumination," the court was told. "But the transition through the day to FTA at night without illumination, was probably too rapid as it unsettled some members of the Platoon."
A walk-through of the range was not conducted, which is mandate to allow Safety Staff to orientate themselves with the ground.
The court heard the first FTA was completed but some soldiers struggled due to their lack of experience of firing at night and found light levels without illumination difficult however no concerns were raised at the time.
"It was highly likely Pvt McPherson was killed by firer two who mistook him for a target and engaged as he was trained to do," the court was told. "Pvt McPherson was estimated to be five metres away from firer two the fatal shot was fired."
The inquest was told the night-vision goggles worn by the Safety Supervisor made his duties more challenging and created a blind spot to the left.
The court heard "important lessons" had been learned around planning procedures, and rehearsals to ensure there is an understanding of emergency drills.
But jurors were told: "Owing to the nature of Pvt McPherson's injuries, none of the post-incident shortfalls identified would have prevented his death."
The inquest continues.
