Royal Navy officer who died in Merlin accident named as Lieutenant Rhodri Leyshon

The member of the Royal Navy who died after their Merlin helicopter ditched in the English Channel during a night-time training exercise has been named as Lieutenant Rhodri Leyshon.

Three Royal Navy personnel were carrying out night flying training in their Merlin Mk4 with the carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth when the aircraft came down.

The Ministry of Defence said 31-year-old Lt Leyshon was "one of the Commando Helicopter Force's most trusted and highly capable aircraft captains and instructors".

'Tragic loss'

Lt Leyshon's family paid tribute, saying: "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.

"The family request privacy at this extremely painful time."

He was called a "shining light" by Colonel Mark Johnson, Commanding Officer of Commando Helicopter Force at Yeovilton.

The colonel said: "It's immensely sad that we lost one of our family.

"Lt Leyshon was a consummate professional and a shining light with a bright future.

"He epitomised our team spirit and his loss leaves a huge hole in all our hearts."

Air Vice-Marshal Alastair Smith, Commander of Joint Aviation Command, said: “I flew with Lt Leyshon just a few days ago and personally attest to both his professionalism as a pilot and his warmth as a character.

"He will be sorely missed by the squadron, the Commando Helicopter Force and the wider Joint Aviation Command."

In 2018, the then-student pilot for the 846 Naval Air Squadron, Lieutenant Rhodri Leyshon spoke to BFBS Forces News about always wanting to become a Commando Helicopter Force pilot.

As he neared the end of several years of training on Exercise Merlin Storm, he said: "It's taken me five years, I joined in November 2013.

"I always wanted to be a Commando Helicopter Force pilot, so I'm lucky to be here, given the opportunity now.

"I'm one or two days away from finally finishing it, so I'm delighted to be here."

First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key led the tributes when the news of the Navy man's death was first released.

Adm Sir Ben said: "I am intensely saddened by the tragic loss of one of our Royal Navy personnel, following the incident in the English Channel last night.

"It is a huge shock to us all in the naval community, and our thoughts and condolences go out to the family at this time."

The Royal Navy confirmed there were no other fatalities or serious injuries among the other two crew members following the incident off the Dorset coast.

It said: "Our thoughts are with the family and all those affected at this sad time.

"A full investigation will take place."

Defence Secretary John Healey, who was on a visit to HMS Diamond in Portsmouth when he heard about the accident, said it was "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," he said.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer 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 Mk4 Merlin is the aircraft currently used by Royal Marines, with several modifications for use by the Commando Force.

These include a fast roping beam that allows the rapid deployment of marines from the main cabin door.