The Royal Navy serviceman who died when a helicopter ditched in the English Channel during a night training exercise has been named as Lieutenant Rhodri Leyshon, the Ministry of Defence said.
Lt Rhodri Leyshon was aboard a Merlin Mk4 when it ditched into the English Channel on Wednesday night after it suffered a “double engine failure”.
The helicopter had been conducting mission rehearsals with the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth at the time of the tragic incident.
Tributes have poured in for Lt Leyshon, with his family remembering him as a “talented” and “passionate” man who was “immeasurably loved”.
The Ministry of Defence said Lt Leyshon was “one of the Commando Helicopter Force’s most trusted and highly capable aircraft captains and instructors”.
Lt Rhodri Leyshon’s family have also given a heartbreaking tribute saying their lives will “never be the same” without him.
They 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.”
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