A member of Royal Navy personnel has died after a helicopter plunged into the English Channel last night, the Ministry of Defence has said.

In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, the MoD confirmed the incident took place while conducting a night-flying exercise with HMS Queen Elizabeth in the Channel.

A spokesman said: "It is with great sadness that we must report a member of the Royal Navy has died following a training incident last night.

"Our thoughts are with the family - who have been informed - and all those affected at this sad time. A full investigation will take place."

The craft involved was a Merlin helicopter - a type of rotorcraft which has been flying from the deck of the Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy's fleet flagship, since August 2018.

Numerous reports on the incident referred to the helicopter "ditching" - this refers to an emergency landing on a body of water.

GB News understands three personnel were on board the helicopter when it entered the water.

Two of the three did not suffer serious injuries, and were rescued and hospitalised after the incident.

The third service member's body has been recovered.