Royal Navy serviceman who died when helicopter ditched in Channel named

The Royal Navy serviceman who died when a Merlin helicopter ditched in the Channel during a training exercise has been named as Lieutenant Rhodri Leyshon, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

The 31-year-old’s family paid tribute to him as a “talented, passionate, strong and loyal man”.

There were three crew members on board at the time of the incident. The other two of were rescued and taken to hospital, according to the MoD.

The Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed off the coast of Dorset on Wednesday night during the training exercise with the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier, according to the Royal Navy.

The lieutenant’s family said: “Rhod was so immeasurably loved by his parents, siblings, partner, friends and family and he was devoted to them. Our lives will never be the same without him.

“We are all so very proud of the talented, passionate, strong and loyal man he was. We will always have him in our hearts. Our wonderful boy.

“The family request privacy at this extremely painful time.”

The MoD said Lt Leyshon was “one of the Commando Helicopter Force’s most trusted and highly capable aircraft captains and instructors”.

He was called a “shining light” by Colonel Mark Johnson, Commanding Officer of Commando Helicopter Force at Yeovilton.

“Lt Leyshon was a consummate professional and a shining light with a bright future.

“He epitomised our team spirit and his loss leaves a huge hole in all our hearts.”

Air Vice-Marshal Alastair Smith, Commander of Joint Aviation Command, said in tribute: “I flew with Lt Leyshon just a few days ago and personally attest to both his professionalism as a pilot and his warmth as a character.

“He will be sorely missed by the squadron, the Commando Helicopter Force and the wider Joint Aviation Command.”

He undertook flying training, specialising as a Commando Aviator, where he served with 845 Naval Air Squadron and completed a number of overseas deployments, including to the Caribbean, USA and Norway.

In the last 18 months, he served with 846 Naval Air Squadron.

Lt Leyshon had played for the Britannia Royal Naval College Rugby Club.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey both expressed their condolences on social media after the Royal Navy shared the news of the lieutenant’s death.

The Merlin Mk4 helicopter is used by the Royal Marines and has been deployed globally to provide disaster relief.

It is considered the “world’s most advanced amphibious battlefield helicopter” and can carry up to 24 troops, according to the Royal Navy.

HMS Queen Elizabeth is described on the Navy’s website as “the largest and most powerful vessel ever constructed for the Royal Navy”, which is capable of carrying up to 40 aircraft.

The vessel is the Navy’s Fleet Flagship and can carry senior naval staff, receive foreign dignitaries and act as a command and control centre for the Royal Navy.