A member of Royal Navy has died after a Merlin helicopter ‘ditched’ in the Channel during a night-flying exercise, the Ministry of Defence has said.
In a statement, the Royal Navy said: “It is with great sadness that we must report a member of the Royal Navy has died following a training incident last night.
“Our thoughts are with the family – who have been informed – and all those affected at this sad time. A full investigation will take place.
“The incident involved a Merlin Mk4 helicopter in the English Channel near Dorset that ditched while conducting night flying exercises with HMS Queen Elizabeth. There were no other fatalities or serious injuries.”
Ditching is a deliberate emergency landing on water.
The Mirror reported that there are believed to have been three crew members onboard the helicopter at the time of the incident. The other two members of the Royal Navy were rescued and taken to hospital. It is not believed they suffered serious injuries and the Coastguard assisted in their rescue.
The body of the third crew member, who has not yet been identified, was recovered from the scene. A second Merlin helicopter was also taking place in the same night flying exercise at the time of the incident.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “deeply saddened” by the incident. He wrote on X: “Deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of a member of the Royal Navy. My thoughts are with the family and loved ones during this painful time.”
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