Royal Navy serviceman killed in helicopter crash named as household pay tribute to ‘wonderful boy’ | EUROtoday

The Royal Navy serviceman who died when a Merlin helicopter ditched within the Channel throughout a coaching train has been named.

The Merlin Mk4 helicopter, favoured by Royal Marines for speedy deployment, crashed throughout an evening flying train with HMS Queen Elizabeth off the Dorset coast on Wednesday evening.

Lieutenant Rhodri Leyshon, 31, has been described as “talented, passionate, strong and loyal man” by his household.

There had been three crew members on board on the time of the incident. The different two of had been rescued and brought to hospital, based on the Ministry of Defence.

An investigation into what triggered the plane to ditch is ongoing.

The lieutenant’s household stated: “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 stated Lt Leyshon was “one of the Commando Helicopter Force’s most trusted and highly capable aircraft captains and instructors”.

He was known as a “shining light” by Colonel Mark Johnson, Commanding Officer of Commando Helicopter Force at Yeovilton.

The colonel stated: “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, stated 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 4 years later.

He undertook flying coaching, specialising as a Commando Aviator, the place he served with 845 Naval Air Squadron and accomplished numerous abroad deployments, together with to the Caribbean, USA and Norway.

In the final 18 months, he served with 846 Naval Air Squadron. Lt Leyshon had performed for the Britannia Royal Naval College Rugby Club.

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and defence secretary John Healey each expressed their condolences on social media after the Royal Navy shared the information of the lieutenant’s loss of life.

The Merlin Mk4 helicopter is utilized by the Royal Marines and has been deployed globally to offer catastrophe reduction. It is taken into account the “world’s most advanced amphibious battlefield helicopter” and might carry as much as 24 troops, based on the Royal Navy.

Additional reporting by PA