Following the tragic incident in which a Royal Navy serviceman was killed when a helicopter crashed into the Channel off the Dorset coast
the Royal Navy has named him as 31-year-old Lieutenant Rhodri Leyshon.
The aircraft went down on Wednesday during night-flying exercises alongside the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.
Three people were on board the Merlin Mk4 when it came down off the Dorset coast.
“Rhod was loved beyond measure by his parents, siblings, partner, friends, and family, and he was devoted to them. Our lives will never be the same without him,” the family said in a statement.
“We are all incredibly proud of the talented, passionate, strong, and loyal man he was. We will forever hold him in our hearts. Our wonderful boy.”
“The family request privacy at this incredibly painful time.”
Lt Leyshon joined the Wales University Royal Naval Unit, which trains students, in 2010 and was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 2014. He completed his flying training, specialising as a Commando Aviator, and took part in several overseas deployments, including to the Caribbean, the USA, and Norway.
For the past 18 months, Lt Leyshon had been serving with 846 Naval Air Squadron. The Navy described him as one of the Commando Helicopter Force’s “most trusted and highly capable aircraft captains and instructors,” having refined his skills on some of Defence’s most specialised aviation missions.
Colonel Mark Johnson, Commanding Officer of Commando Helicopter Force at Yeovilton, said in a statement: “It is immensely sad that we have lost one of our family.”
“Lt Leyshon was a consummate professional and a shining light with a bright future. He embodied our team spirit, and his loss leaves a huge gap in all our hearts.”
Air Vice-Marshal Alastair Smith, Commander of Joint Aviation Command, mentioned that he had flown with Lt Leyshon just a few days ago and praised his professionalism as a pilot and his warmth as a person.
“He will be sorely missed,” he said.
No one else was killed or seriously injured, but the other two crew members were rescued and taken to hospital, the Ministry of Defence confirmed.
Tracking data showed two Merlins from Yeovilton air station in Somerset operating off the Dorset coast on Wednesday. Both were airborne at 8.40pm, but disappeared by 8.52pm.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
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