One dead after Royal Navy helicopter crashes in Channel

A Royal Navy personnel has died after a chopper crashed into the English Channel.

The tragic incident happened during a night-time military exercise over the Channel.

A Merlin helicopter reportedly ditched in the channel while carrying out a night-flying exercise with HMS Queen Elizabeth off the coast of Dorset on Wednesday, the MoD said.

The Royal Navy said in a statement: ‘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.’

Defence secretary John Healey described the death as ‘dreadful,’ PA news agency reports.

Now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the death of a member of the Royal Navy.

He said in a post on X (formerly Twitter): ‘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.’

He also paid tribute to the personnel on HMS Queen Elizabeth ‘particularly those involved in the search-and-rescue operation.’

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