Finland’s court of appeal denies leave to appeal in Dragsvik military accident case

The Helsinki Court of Appeal has refused to grant leave for further appeal to two Finnish Defence Forces personnel convicted over a near-fatal training accident in Dragsvik in October 2023, public broadcaster Yle reports.

A 19-year-old conscript nearly drowned during a so-called “beret march” exercise in Raseborg’s Dragsvik when she lost consciousness and sank to the seabed for approximately ten minutes. Her heart stopped, but she was rescued, resuscitated, and survived after more than two weeks of hospital treatment for severe hypothermia and injuries.

In October 2025, the District Court of Western Uusimaa sentenced the captain lieutenant leading the exercise to a suspended prison term for service-related offences, aggravated bodily harm, and endangerment. The sergeant acting as boat operator received fines for negligent service offences, bodily harm, and endangerment.

Both convicted individuals sought to appeal their sentences. The Court of Appeal’s decision means they may now only petition the Supreme Court for review, which requires special permission.

The accident occurred during a mandatory military training event for conscripts in Finland’s Uusimaa Brigade.