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Two crew die in submarine tragedy | |
(20 minutes later) | |
Two members of an American submarine have died after getting into trouble in Plymouth Sound. | |
They were among four crew who had become stuck on casing on the outside of the USS Minneapolis-St Paul and could not get back inside. | |
A rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose, a tug boat and a lifeboat were sent to the crew's aid while they were tied on to the side of the 110m (362ft) vessel. | A rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose, a tug boat and a lifeboat were sent to the crew's aid while they were tied on to the side of the 110m (362ft) vessel. |
They were brought back to shore and taken by ambulance to hospital. | They were brought back to shore and taken by ambulance to hospital. |
'Battered about' | 'Battered about' |
A spokesman for Brixham Coastguard said: "The four got into difficulties while on the outer casing of the submarine. | A spokesman for Brixham Coastguard said: "The four got into difficulties while on the outer casing of the submarine. |
"They were unable to get back on board, they were tied on but getting battered about by the weather. | "They were unable to get back on board, they were tied on but getting battered about by the weather. |
"A helicopter was launched along with the Plymouth lifeboat and a tug and they were brought in." | "A helicopter was launched along with the Plymouth lifeboat and a tug and they were brought in." |
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman confirmed two of the crew were pronounced dead on Friday afternoon and the coroner was being informed. | |
The American nuclear-powered attack submarine, which is based in Norfolk, Virginia, has a crew of 110 and can reach speeds exceeding 25 knots (29mph). Its weapons include torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles. | |
The Ministry of Defence said it could not comment on what the vessel was doing in British waters. | The Ministry of Defence said it could not comment on what the vessel was doing in British waters. |
However, submarines have to travel through the Sound to get to and from the city's Devonport Naval Base. | However, submarines have to travel through the Sound to get to and from the city's Devonport Naval Base. |