Royal Navy Lynx Helicopter Crew Found Dead

[treetopflyer]

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the bodies of the crew of a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter which crashed off the Cornish coast have been found.

The four bodies were found close to the wreckage of the helicopter which crashed on Wednesday night.

 

Commander Mark Sheehan, who is in charge of the Lynx helicopters, says a Board of Inquiry is being set up.

 

The identities of the crew from RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset have not yet been released by the MoD.

 

'Man overboard'

 

The main body of the aircraft was located by a remote control vehicle on the seabed after search teams identified the site by a trail of fuel oil and debris.

 

Contact with the helicopter was lost when it was 20 miles (32km) off Lizard Point and responding to an emergency call.

 

 

Cdr Sheehan said: "The situation is looking undeniably bleak and the search for survivors has now been called off."

 

The commanding officer of RNAS Yeovilton has expressed his condolences to relatives of the crew members.

 

The wreckage of the Lynx has been located on the bottom of the seabed

 

MoD spokesman

 

Speaking at the base on Thursday, Commodore Alan Bennett said: "I am here to express my deepest sympathy on behalf of the whole air station for 815 Naval Air Squadron which is based here at Yeovilton.

 

"We wish to express our sympathy to all the relations and families and friends of those involved."

 

The helicopter had been scrambled after a report of a man overboard on the naval frigate HMS Montrose.

 

An MoD spokesman said: "I can confirm the wreckage of the Lynx has been located on the bottom of the seabed following searches off the coast of Cornwall.

 

The MoD confirmed the Lynx was scrambled after two Navy ratings on board HMS Montrose heard cries for help coming from the water.

 

HMS Montrose and HMS St Albans were taking part in a warfare training week.

 

An MoD spokesman said: "Following a roll-call on HMS Montrose and HMS St Albans, all personnel were accounted for."

 

A French warship which was in the area on Wednesday night has also accounted for its personnel.

 

Falmouth Coastguard said a 10-mile exclusion zone had been put in place around the spot where the missing helicopter was last recorded.

 

A Coastguard spokesman said it was normal practice to introduce an exclusion zone to keep vessels unconnected with a search out of the area.