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The Royal Navy serviceman who died when a Merlin helicopter ditched in the Channel during a training exercise has been named.
The Merlin Mk4 helicopter, favoured by Royal Marines for rapid deployment, crashed during a night flying exercise with HMS Queen Elizabeth off the Dorset coast on Wednesday night.
Lieutenant Rhodri Leyshon, 31, has been described as “talented, passionate, strong and loyal man” by his family.
There were three crew members on board at the time of the incident. The other two of were rescued and taken to hospital, according to the Ministry of Defence.
An investigation into what caused the aircraft to ditch is ongoing.
The lieutenant’s family said: “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.”
The MoD said Lt Leyshon was “one of the Commando Helicopter Force’s most trusted and highly capable aircraft captains and instructors”.
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 in tribute: “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.”
Lt Leyshon joined the Wales URNU (University Royal Naval Unit) in 2010 and was commissioned into the Royal Navy four years later.
He undertook flying training, specialising as a Commando Aviator, where he served with 845 Naval Air Squadron and completed a number of overseas deployments, including to the Caribbean, USA and Norway.
In the last 18 months, he served with 846 Naval Air Squadron. Lt Leyshon had played for the Britannia Royal Naval College Rugby Club.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and defence secretary John Healey both expressed their condolences on social media after the Royal Navy shared the news of the lieutenant’s death.
The Merlin Mk4 helicopter is used by the Royal Marines and has been deployed globally to provide disaster relief. It is considered the “world’s most advanced amphibious battlefield helicopter” and can carry up to 24 troops, according to the Royal Navy.
Additional reporting by PA
