A member of the Royal Navy has died after a military helicopter ditched in the English Channel near Dorset last night at 20:45 BST. Three crew members were onboard the Merlin Mk4 as they took part in night flying exercises - two were rescued and taken to hospital.
The incident occurred while the helicopter was conducting exercises with the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. Defence Secretary John Healey has said that an investigation into a helicopter incident over the English Channel has already begun, hours after it was announced by the Royal Navy that a member had died.
The Royal Navy says a full investigation will take place.
The Tragic Incident
The Merlin Mk4 helicopter was conducting night flying exercises with the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth when it ditched in the English Channel. The incident occurred near Dorset, England.
The Royal Navy confirmed that there were no other fatalities or serious injuries. Two other crew members were rescued and taken to a hospital. It is understood that they did not suffer serious injuries.
The third crew member, whose body was recovered, has not yet been named. The family of the deceased has been informed.
The Response
The incident has sparked a flurry of responses from government officials and the Royal Navy.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he's "deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death" and thanks those involved in the rescue operation.
Admiral Sir Ben Key, the head of the Royal Navy, says he is "intensely saddened by the tragic loss" of a Royal Navy member. In a post on X, the First Sea Lord writes that the death is a "huge shock to us all in the naval community and our thoughts and condolences go out to the family at this time".
The Merlin Mk4 Helicopter
The Merlin Mk4 helicopter is a multi-role helicopter used by the Royal Navy. It is a modified version of the Merlin helicopter, which was originally designed by Westland Helicopters.
The Merlin Mk4 is used for a variety of tasks, including:
- Search and rescue
- Anti-submarine warfare
- Transport
- Troop deployment
The helicopter is capable of flying at a speed of 160 knots (184mph/296km/h) and travelling 750 nautical miles. It can carry a crew of three and up to 16 passengers.
The Merlin Mk4 is a highly capable and versatile helicopter, but it is also a complex aircraft. Accidents involving military helicopters are rare, but they can be devastating when they do occur.
Investigating the Cause
The Royal Navy has launched a full investigation into the incident. The investigation will be conducted by the Defence Safety Authority through the Defence Accident Investigation Branch.
The investigation will likely take several months to complete. It will focus on determining the cause of the incident and identifying any contributing factors.
A Moment of Reflection
The death of a Royal Navy sailor is a tragedy. It is a reminder of the risks that military personnel face every day.
Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased. We also commend the courage and professionalism of those involved in the rescue operation.
As investigations continue, we can only hope that lessons learned from this incident will help to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
