The name of a Royal Navy pilot who died when a helicopter crashed in the Channel has been revealed as 31-year-old Lieutenant Rhodri Leyshon.
The plane crashed on Wednesday during night flight exercises next to the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.
There were three people on board the Merlin Mk4 when the vessel crashed off the coast of Dorset.
The other crew members were rescued and taken to hospital, but their injuries were not serious, the Defense Ministry said.
“Rhod was so deeply loved and devoted to his parents, siblings, partner, friends and family. Our lives will never be the same without him,” the family said in a statement.
“We are all so proud of the talented, passionate, strong and loyal man he was. We will always carry him in our hearts. Our amazing boy.”
Lieutenant Leyshon was “a shining light with a bright future”, said Commanding Officer Colonel Mark Johnson of Yeovilton Air Base in Somerset.
“He embodied our team spirit and his loss leaves a huge hole in our hearts,” he added.
Lieutenant Leyshon joined the Wales URNU (University Royal Naval Unit) in 2010 and commissioned into the Navy in 2014.
He served with the 845th Naval Air Squadron and was deployed to the US, the Caribbean and Norway.
For the past 18 months he served with the 846th Naval Air Squadron.
Air Vice-Marshal Alastair Smith, Commander of Joint Aviation Command, said: “I flew with Lt Leyshon just a few days ago and can see first-hand his professionalism as a pilot and his warm character.
“He will be greatly missed by the squadron, the Commando Helicopter Force and the wider Joint Aviation Command.”
Tracking data shows two Merlins operating from Yeovilton near Dorset on Wednesday. Both were airborne at 20:40 but disappeared at 20:52.
An investigation into the incident is underway.
Read more from Sky News:
American-Turkish activist dies after being ‘shot by Israeli forces’
Ex-Top Gear presenter ‘warned BBC about safety before Flintoff crash’
“Merlin helicopters don’t have ejection seats, so the crew have to try to land in an emergency,” said Sky News military analyst Sean Bell.
He said the crew will receive extensive training on how to free themselves if the ship hits the water.
The Merlin Mk4 is used by the Royal Marines and has been deployed worldwide for emergency relief.
According to the Royal Navyis considered the world’s most advanced amphibious combat helicopter and can carry up to 24 troops.
