Royal Navy service member dies after Merlin helicopter crash during night exercise in English Channel

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. “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 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.”