The army nearly killed a mate of mine the same way. Thankfully the paramedics we're able to save him.

In short, testing for elite soldiers should be dumber down, so that the not so elite don't fail the test? I can see that they should have had more paramedics on stand-by and have pulled those afflicted when they showed signs of weakness. Although how much of that was down to pride on the part of those taking part not wanting to admit failure?

I certainly think the MoD should pull people out of the exercise when they show signs of exhaustion etc. but isn't that what the tests are supposed to show, how the candidates react in extreme conditions?

In my friend's case it wasn't even for the elite.
The cock of an officer in charge nearly killed two of them on the same day. Thankfully he was run out of Sandhurst back to his unit after that.