A ROYAL Navy pilot who flew the same helicopters as Prince William has died from cancer caused by inhaling the aircraft’s exhaust fumes.
Sea King pilot Rich Sutton died on Sept 19 after a 14-year battle with epithelioid fibrosarcoma, a rare form of the deadly disease caused by his time in the cockpit.
Former RAF helicopter pilot Richard Sutton flew Sea King choppers in Afghanistan[/caption]
Richard tragically passed away after a 14-year battle with epithelioid fibrosarcoma[/caption]
He previously won a settlement after inhaling toxic fumes[/caption]
His grown-up children, Tom and Emma, led tributes to their “special” dad who led an “incredible life.”
Rich, 55, served in Iraq and Afghanistan and was appointed an MBE for flying commandos into battle.
Speaking before his tragic death, he said flying was the “career of my dreams” — but also the cause of his cancer.
The former Navy Commander was one of two former Sea King pilots, including Prince William’s flying instructor Zach Stubbings, who won landmark payouts from the Ministry of Defence after proving their cancers were caused by their time in the cockpit.
Zach, 47, a former RAF flight sergeant, died earlier this year, leaving behind his wife and three children.
Courts heard the MoD knew of the risks but did nothing for over a decade.
More than 140 former pilots and crew are now suing the MoD. They served on Sea King, Wessex, Puma and Chinook helicopters.
William regularly flew Sea King choppers between 2010 and 2013 when he served as a search and rescue pilot. It’s unknown whether he was affected.
Rich was first diagnosed in 2011 when he noticed a lump in the roof of his mouth.
He said chemicals in the Sea King’s exhaust came in “through the cargo door.”
Over the next decade, he underwent at least nine operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy as tumours appeared in his spine, lungs and throat.
At least three times, he was told he had “reached the end of the road.”
But last year, he underwent an epic 12-hour operation where surgeons removed a tumour stretching from his chin to his heart.
He said at the time: “I just wanted to be able to look my children in the eyes and say, after 12 years, radiotherapy, chemo and eight previous surgeries, that I had truly exhausted all options.”
Epithelioid Sarcoma
Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare form of cancer that can occur anywhere throughout the body.
It is most often found in the hands, arms, feet and legs.
The cause of the illness is currently unknown but researchers think that it is caused by errors in a gene.
Medical experts are still trying to find out why these gene errors happen and whether this causes epithelioid sarcoma.
Symptoms of epithelioid sarcoma can vary depending on the size and location of your tumour.
Patients may experience a lump or swelling within the soft tissue of the body.
The lump tends to be hard but slow growing and painless.
These tumours often cause open sores called ulcers on the skin surface, which can be painful.
The first treatment for Epithelioid Sarcoma is a surgery that will remove the cancerous cells and some of the surrounding tissue.
Radiotherapy, chemotherpay and experimental therapies have also been employed to treat the cancer.
Rich’s former solicitor, Louisa Donaghy, hailed his “remarkable courage.”
She added: “Rich was dedicated, dignified, and determined to make a difference for others affected.”
Speaking to The Sun in 2021, Rich said the MoD knew about the risks but did nothing.
He said: “This is of their own making. They knew they needed to do exhaust modifications to the Sea King but chose to do nothing.
“Everyone should have been told, regardless of who they are.”
And he said he was determined to “get the message out there for those who haven’t associated their ill health with their service.”
He insisted: “They should get the help they need to support their families.”
Prince William is pictured at the controls of a Sea King helicopter during a training exercise[/caption]
Wills flew the Sea King in 150 search-and-rescue operations over a three-year period[/caption]
