Two US Sailors Dead

[Breezy]

Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers.
A friend of mine is worried her dh is one of them. The command doesn't have her contact info as he just met up with the boat at that port call.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...6217471.stm?ls

Two crew die in submarine tragedy

The nuclear-powered submarine is based at Norfolk, Virginia
Two crew members of an American submarine have died after falling overboard in Plymouth Sound.
They were among four crewmen who were working in poor weather on the outside casing of the USS Minneapolis-St Paul off the Devon coast.

A rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose, a tug boat and a lifeboat were sent to the men's aid while they were tied on to the side of the 110m (362ft) vessel.

The sailors were brought back to shore and taken by ambulance to hospital.

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."


The submarine was getting under way from the Devonport naval base

Two men appeared to be breathing with difficulty and were given CPR as they approached the shore.

They were taken to Derriford hospital in Plymouth, where two of the servicemen were pronounced dead.

The two other men were transferred to the sick bay at the HMS Drake and later released.

Names withheld

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman confirmed two of the crew were pronounced dead on Friday afternoon and the coroner had been informed.

A joint investigation by police, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the United States Navy has begun.

A US Navy spokesman confirmed four sailors from the vessel had fallen overboard as it was getting under way from Devonport naval base.

"The names of the sailors are being withheld until their next of kin have been informed.


Ships have to go through the Sound to get to the city's naval base

"Our thoughts and sympathies are first and foremost with the families and loved ones of the sailors who sadly lost their lives today in this incident."

He said the vessel had just completed a week long visit to Plymouth.

The American nuclear-powered submarine, which is based in Norfolk, Virginia, was leaving the harbour at the time of the incident and has since continued on its journey.

It has been operating under the US Sixth Fleet since October.

The MoD 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.

The submarine, which has a complement of 137 officers and enlisted crew, can reach speeds exceeding 25 knots (29mph). Its weapons include torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles.

[Resa]

I hope your friend gets good news and that her husband is not one of them. Thoughts and prayers for the families of the men. My dad is retired Navy.

Resa

[Hogleg 44]

We certainly will Breezy. No news is Good news.

[Breezy]

Thanks guys still no word from her. I will call her in a bit.

[Breezy]

talked to my friend. The families have been notified and it wasn't her dh.
The names will hopefully be out soon.
The families are still in my thoughts and prayers

[iCe]

I'm very sorry for those that lost someone but I am glad that your friend escaped the tragedy... Tough way to start the new year...

[Breezy]

Thanks guys
the names should be released tomorrow

[PHT]

i see

[Breezy]

:(
From Commander, U. S. Naval Forces Europe/Commander, Sixth Fleet Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- The Navy released the names, Dec. 31, of the two Sailors from USS Minneapolis-St Paul (SSN 708) who died Dec. 29.

Senior Chief Thomas E. Higgins, 45, of Paducah, Kentucky, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael J. Holtz, 30, of Lakewood, Ohio, died after falling overboard while the submarine was leaving the Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth, England.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.