A soldier who shot a comrade during a live-training exercise could not see in the dark, 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 taking part in the exercise.
READ MORE: Planning dispute victory for Tea in the Paddock café in Choppington after 12 months
The group was moving toward a rigid target at the training ground when a weapon was discharged and Pvt McPherson fell to the ground.
An inquest at Northumberland Coroner's Court heard a soldier had fallen behind the rest of the group after slipping.
The court heard the soldier caught up with the rest of the group who were advancing down the range and were told to engage the second target.
Jurors were told a shot was fired and Pvt McPherson then hit the ground.
He told the court he believed Pvt McPherson was to his left before adding: "Then it was the safety behind me who went stop. I thought it was part of the scenario of the range."
The soldier said they made their way off the range and was unaware of what had happened.
The soldier, who was wearing HMNV night-vision goggles, told the court he couldn't see Pvt McPherson or the target because "it was pitch black".
A safety supervisor was following the firing team as they travelled through the range and moved toward the soldier who had fallen behind.
He said: "When I got to him, I knew straightaway he could be in an unsafe position and said 'Move forward, move forward'."
It was then Pvt McPherson dropped to the ground, the court heard.
He added: "I just seen a bit of movement to the left.
"It was a split second. I seen him going down and normally when a person goes down they spring back up but I never seen any movement from him.
"Straightaway I called stop as I was moving toward him."
Despite resuscitation attempts, Pvt McPherson was pronounced dead at the scene.
The court heard another soldier who was taking part in the exercise was having trouble identifying the targets and was told not to fire.
The targets had not been fitted with thermal tape but this would not hinder the soldiers from identifying the targets through their night-vision goggles, the court was told.
The inquest continues.
Read next:
- Family's desperate race to save autistic four-year-old's support puppy who prevents her from self-harming
- 'It felt like a really special moment' Northumberland actor stars in the Boots Christmas advert
- Meet the man who lived remotely off Northumberland coast and left once a week to shower
- Northumberland dance teacher named in the top 100 most influential disabled people in the UK
- Northumberland man died while waiting for ambulance after falling and hitting his head
