Injured sailor is airlifted to hospital after suffering injury on board HMS Sutherland
An injured sailor has been airlifted off a Type 23 frigate to Hoe Promenade before being taken to Derriford Hospital.
Plymouth residents saw an HM Coastguard helicopter flying above the vessel, HMS Sutherland, as the incident happened.
The sailor was said to have suffered serious injuries; however, they have now been discharged from the hospital.
HMS Sutherland has been used as a towed array patrol ship and a fleet ready escort. The vessel's responsibilities include stopping smuggling and people trafficking as well as maritime patrols.
A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: "HM Coastguard was called to assist a casualty aboard a vessel at Plymouth Sound.
"An HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter was sent, and the casualty was taken to a helicopter landing site for onward travel to hospital."
The Type 23 frigate has previously escorted HMS Queen Elizabeth out of Rosyth in Scotland on the aircraft carrier's maiden voyage back in 2017, according to the Royal Navy.
She was also the first warship to take a Royal Navy Wildcat maritime attack helicopter to the Asia Pacific region.
The incident comes after an inquiry into the death of Jean Langan, who died after the downwash of a helicopter caused her to fall over and hit her head in the hospital car park, which meant that University Hospitals Plymouth ceased allowing larger helicopters, like those operated by HM Coastguard and the military, to land on its helipad.
A Royal Navy spokesperson said: "A member of HMS Sutherland was transported to hospital with the assistance of HM Coastguard on Tuesday.
"The person suffered serious injuries which were not life-threatening and was discharged from hospital the same day."
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