Royal Navy crew member dies in training exercise

A Royal Navy subordinate has died pursuing a grooming incidental successful the English Channel connected Wednesday evening.

The incidental progressive a Merlin Mk4 chopper which ditched during night-flying exercises with the HMS Queen Elizabeth craft bearer adjacent Dorset.

A spokesperson for the Royal Navy said that determination were nary different fatalities oregon superior injuries.

Defence Secretary John Healey says the probe into the mishap has already started.

Three unit members were connected committee the Merlin Mk4, which ditched - a deliberate exigency landing connected h2o - connected Wednesday.

Two were rescued and taken to hospital. It is understood that they are not earnestly injured.

The 3rd unit member, whose assemblage was recovered, has not been named.

It is besides not known who connected committee survived and who didn't.

Another Merlin chopper was successful the aerial astatine the clip of the incident.

In a station connected X, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said helium was "deeply saddened to perceive of the tragic decease of a subordinate of the Royal Navy".

On a sojourn to the HMS Diamond destroyer successful Portsmouth, Mr Healey told the BBC: "Today is simply a time to mourn the nonaccomplishment of a valued navy unit and deliberation astir his family, friends and colleagues.

"For everyone connected with the equipped forces this is quality that radical dread."

First Sea Lord Ben Key said helium was "intensely saddened" by the incident.

It is understood that HMS Queen Elizabeth, which was besides progressive successful the night-flying exercise, is inactive moving astatine sea.