Royal Navy service member dies after South West helicopter crash

A member of Royal Navy personnel has died after a helicopter ditched in the Channel during a night-flying exercise. The Royal Navy said the Merlin helicopter crashed off the coast of Dorset on Wednesday night during the training exercise with the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier.

An investigation into the cause of the incident is taking place. The family of the deceased, who has not been named, have been informed.

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."

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"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."

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.

Defence Secretary John Healey has described the news of the death of a Royal Navy member of personnel as “dreadful”.

He told the PA News agency while on a visit to HMS Diamond in Portsmouth: “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.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “deeply saddened” by the death of a member of the Royal Navy after a Merlin helicopter ditched in the English Channel.

He said in a post 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.”

The Royal Navy said the helicopter crashed off the coast of Dorset on Wednesday night during the training exercise with the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier.

Sir Keir paid tribute to the ship’s company “particularly those involved in the search-and-rescue operation”.