The wreckage of a helicopter involved in a fatal crash in earlier in the month was recovered by a salvage ship on September 18.

The aircraft's tail was brought to Portland by specialist salvage ship Maersk Achiever.

Lt Rhodri Leyshon was killed in a late night training exercise that saw the Merlin Mk4 helicopter ditched - an emergency landing on water - on the Channel.

Part of the helicopter that crashed off the coast of Dorset on September 4, during a training exercise with the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier, has been recovered. Crew member Lt Rhodri Leyshon lost his life in the incident.

The helicopter was part of the Fleet Air Arm's 846 Squadron.

What appeared to be the tail boom was brought into Portland, Dorset on the specialist salvage ship Maersk Achiever.

The MoD said Lt Leyshon was "one of the Commando Helicopter Force's most trusted and highly capable aircraft captains and instructors".

The lieutenant's family said in a statement after his death: "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."


Fatal Merlin Helicopter Crash Section Recovered By The Salvage Ship The Maersk Achiever