Royal Navy Pilot Identified After Fatal Helicopter Crash in the Channel

The Royal Navy has named the serviceman who tragically died when a helicopter crashed in the English Channel as 31-year-old Lieutenant Rhodri Leyshon. The incident occurred on Wednesday night during a training exercise with the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. 

The Merlin Mk4 helicopter, with three crew members on board, went down off the Dorset coast. The two other crew members were rescued and taken to the hospital, where their injuries were described as non-life-threatening by the Ministry of Defence. 

In a heartfelt statement, Lieutenant Leyshon's family expressed their deep grief: "Rhod was so immeasurably loved by his parents, siblings, partner, friends, and family, and he was devoted to them. Our lives will never be the same without him. We are all so very proud of the talented, passionate, strong, and loyal man he was. We will always have him in our hearts. Our wonderful boy." Colonel Mark Johnson, commanding officer from Yeovilton airbase in Somerset, described Lieutenant Leyshon as "a shining light with a bright future" and said his death "leaves a huge hole in all our hearts." Lt. Leyshon began his journey with the Royal Navy in 2010, joining the Wales University Royal Naval Unit before being commissioned in 2014. Recognized for his skill and dedication, he became one of the Royal Navy's most "trusted and highly capable aircraft captains and instructors." 

He served with 845 Naval Air Squadron and had been deployed to the US, Caribbean, and Norway, and for the past 18 months, he was with 846 Naval Air Squadron. Air Vice-Marshal Alastair Smith, who flew with Lt. Leyshon just days before the incident, praised his professionalism and warm character, stating, "He will be sorely missed by the squadron, the Commando Helicopter Force, and the wider Joint Aviation Command." Tracking data revealed that two Merlin helicopters from Yeovilton were in the area on Wednesday night, both airborne at 8:40 p.m. before disappearing from radar at 8:52 p.m. An investigation into the cause of the crash is currently underway. According to military analyst Sean Bell, the Merlin Mk4 does not have ejection seats, requiring crews to perform emergency landings during critical situations. He emphasized that Royal Navy personnel receive extensive training on escape procedures in such scenarios. The Merlin Mk4, often referred to as the "world's most advanced amphibious battlefield helicopter," is used by the Royal Marines for various operations, including disaster relief, and can carry up to 24 troops.