A MEMBER of the Royal Navy has died after a helicopter crashed into the English Channel.
The Merlin helicopter had been carrying a training exercise with HMS Queen Elizabeth off the coast of Dorset last night.
AlamyA Royal Navy Merlin helicopter[/caption]
But the chopper crashed into the sea during the exercise, the Ministry of Defence has said.
There were no other fatalities or injuries, it is understood.
A Royal Navy spokesperson says: “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.”
Three members of crew are understood to have been in the helicopter when it was ditched into the Channel.
Two were taken to hospital, but did not suffer serious injuries.
But the body of the third individual, who has not been named, was later recovered.
Another Merlin helicopter had been in the air at the time as part of the same exercise.
Paying tribute, Sir Keir Starmer said: “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.
“I pay tribute to HMS Queen Elizabeth ship’s company, particularly those involved in the search and rescue operation.
Defence Secretary John Healey described the news of the death as “dreadful”.
On a visit to HMS Diamond in Portsmouth, he said: “Dreadful news. Truly dreadful news.
“I use dreadful because this is what everyone connected to the armed forces, news of personnel in service dying and all my thoughts and the thoughts of those in the wider navy I’ve been with today are with the family, the friends and the close colleagues of the one we’ve lost today.”