A ROYAL Navy serviceman who died in a training exercise off the Dorset coast has been named.

Lieutenant Rhodri Leyshon died when a Merlin helicopter ditched in the Channel during a training exercise.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said: "The Royal Navy continues to mourn the loss of Lt Rhodri Leyshon following the tragic incident in the English Channel on Wednesday, September 4.  

"After joining the Wales URNU in 2010, Lt Leyshon was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 2014.

"He then undertook flying training, specialising as a Commando Aviator, where he served on 845 Naval Air Squadron and completed a number of overseas deployments, including to the Caribbean, USA and Norway.  

"For the last 18-months Lt Leyshon has served on 846 Naval Air Squadron. He was one of the Commando Helicopter Force’s most trusted and highly capable aircraft captains and instructors, having honed his skills undertaking some of Defence’s most specialist aviation tasks."

Lt Leyshon’s family paid tribute, saying: “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.”  

Colonel Mark Johnson, Commanding Officer of Commando Helicopter Force at Yeovilton, 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:  

“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.” 

There were three crew members on board at the time of the incident and two of them were rescued and taken to hospital, according to the MoD.

An investigation into what caused the aircraft to ditch is ongoing.