Sea King ditches

A Sea King helicopter from the task force ditched early today, the Defence Ministry announced.

The crew was picked up without injury, said a brief statement.

It read: ‘Just after 1am this morning, London time, a Sea King helicopter operating in support of the task force ditched.’

‘This was not the result of any action involving Argentine forces.

The crew vacated the helicopter soon after it hit the water and was safely recovered by another helicopter.

‘None of the crew were injured.’

The task force has now lost five helicopters since it set sail for the South Atlantic.