Menu
10/12/2004
Royal Navy aircrew killed in Lynx crash named
The Ministry of Defence has named the four aircrew killed when a Lynx helicopter crashed in the English Channel off Cornwall on December 8.
A spokesperson for the Royal Navy said that wreckage had been located on the seabed some 17 miles off Lizard Point and it was later confirmed that four bodies were identified in the vicinity of the wreckage.
The four aircrew came from 229 Flight of 815 Naval Air Squadron, which has its home base at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset. They were named as:
A Royal Navy Sea King helicopter from RNAS Culdrose engaged on the same search immediately diverted to look for the Lynx, and another Sea King was immediately scrambled from Culdrose. A Royal Air Force Sea King from Chivenor also scrambled, and a French maritime patrol aircraft provided assistance.
The frigates HMS St Albans, HMS Montrose and the German frigate Sachsen which had been involved in the earlier search joined the hunt for the missing helicopter. The aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious arrived in the area around midnight to act as a forward refuelling platform for the search and rescue helicopters.
The helicopters briefly stood down to rest the crews at 4.00am, but resumed the aerial search at first light at 7.30am on December 9.
The minehunter HMS Pembroke assisted in locating the wreckage with sonar, and a salvage vessel examined the scene with an underwater camera.
The Royal Navy spokesperson said: "Our thoughts and prayers are very much with the missing crew members' families at this very difficult time".
(SP/MB)
A spokesperson for the Royal Navy said that wreckage had been located on the seabed some 17 miles off Lizard Point and it was later confirmed that four bodies were identified in the vicinity of the wreckage.
The four aircrew came from 229 Flight of 815 Naval Air Squadron, which has its home base at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset. They were named as:
- Lieutenant Dave Cole, 34, was an Observer and the Commander of 229 Flight. He was married and lived in Dorset.
- Lieutenant Rob Dunn, 29, was a Pilot. He was engaged to be married and also lived in Dorset.
- Lieutenant Jamie Mitchell, 29, an Observer, from Dundee was single.
- LAEM Richard Darnell, 31, the Flight Engineer and Winchman, was single, he lived in Torquay.
A Royal Navy Sea King helicopter from RNAS Culdrose engaged on the same search immediately diverted to look for the Lynx, and another Sea King was immediately scrambled from Culdrose. A Royal Air Force Sea King from Chivenor also scrambled, and a French maritime patrol aircraft provided assistance.
The frigates HMS St Albans, HMS Montrose and the German frigate Sachsen which had been involved in the earlier search joined the hunt for the missing helicopter. The aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious arrived in the area around midnight to act as a forward refuelling platform for the search and rescue helicopters.
The helicopters briefly stood down to rest the crews at 4.00am, but resumed the aerial search at first light at 7.30am on December 9.
The minehunter HMS Pembroke assisted in locating the wreckage with sonar, and a salvage vessel examined the scene with an underwater camera.
The Royal Navy spokesperson said: "Our thoughts and prayers are very much with the missing crew members' families at this very difficult time".
(SP/MB)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 January 2009
RAF Hercules Airlifts Premature Newborn Twins
Twins born prematurely have been airlifted by an RAF Hercules aircraft from the Outer Hebrides to a hospital on the Scottish mainland, in an emergency rescue operation. The mother of the babies went into labour at 27 weeks and gave birth in hospital in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis on Sunday.
RAF Hercules Airlifts Premature Newborn Twins
Twins born prematurely have been airlifted by an RAF Hercules aircraft from the Outer Hebrides to a hospital on the Scottish mainland, in an emergency rescue operation. The mother of the babies went into labour at 27 weeks and gave birth in hospital in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis on Sunday.
09 December 2004
Wreckage is missing Royal Navy helicopter
It has been confirmed that the wreckage found off the Cornish coast is that of the missing Royal Navy Lynx helicopter. A remote control submersible was used to examine and identify the debris located on the seabed.
Wreckage is missing Royal Navy helicopter
It has been confirmed that the wreckage found off the Cornish coast is that of the missing Royal Navy Lynx helicopter. A remote control submersible was used to examine and identify the debris located on the seabed.
26 March 2013
UK's Helicopter Search And Rescue Privatised
All the UK’s helicopter search and rescue are to be taken over by private company, the Bristow Group, the Department for Transport has announced. The company has won a ten year contract to operate the service, with Bristow replacing ageing RAF and Royal Navy Sea King helicopters with modern Sikorsky S-92s and AgustaWestland 189s, from 2015. The £1.
UK's Helicopter Search And Rescue Privatised
All the UK’s helicopter search and rescue are to be taken over by private company, the Bristow Group, the Department for Transport has announced. The company has won a ten year contract to operate the service, with Bristow replacing ageing RAF and Royal Navy Sea King helicopters with modern Sikorsky S-92s and AgustaWestland 189s, from 2015. The £1.
18 May 2004
Rescuer injured as helicopter strikes mountainside
A member of a civilian mountain rescue team is being treated for injuries received after he fell from a search and rescue helicopter that struck a mountainside in the Lake District. The man is reported to have sustained serious injuries when he fell some 40 feet from the Royal Navy Sea King helicopter.
Rescuer injured as helicopter strikes mountainside
A member of a civilian mountain rescue team is being treated for injuries received after he fell from a search and rescue helicopter that struck a mountainside in the Lake District. The man is reported to have sustained serious injuries when he fell some 40 feet from the Royal Navy Sea King helicopter.
21 February 2008
Afghanistan Death Confirmed
It has been confirmed that a soldier from 40 Commando Royal Marines has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan. It happened on Wednesday, with one other marine also injured in the incident, and since described as "walking wounded".
Afghanistan Death Confirmed
It has been confirmed that a soldier from 40 Commando Royal Marines has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan. It happened on Wednesday, with one other marine also injured in the incident, and since described as "walking wounded".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
