RAF sergeant’s family suspects toxic helicopter fumes to blame for early death

British Royal Air Force Sergeant Anna Irwin completed eight three-month tours in Afghanistan, and was handed an award by the King, then Prince Charles. In 2016, Irwin was diagnosed with primary enteric adenocarcinoma, a rare form of lung cancer with only 30 reported cases in the world at the time. Doctors could not draw a link between any immediate lifestyle or environmental causes for Irwin’s illness.

She died the following year at the age of 38. After being diagnosed, Irwin had raised £70,000 for charities by taking part in a parachute drop, a Ben Nevis climb and an Ironman endurance race.

Her father, Mick Irwin, told The Times newspaper: “She was a fighter, she wouldn’t give up, you know. She wanted to live, and she fought all the way through. It was terrible to see someone suffering a death like that.”

He came forward to The Times after reading that serving and former pilots and aircrew were allegedly developing cancers caused by exposure to toxic fumes released by British military helicopters. Those who fell ill and their family members have testified that for over a decade the Ministry of Defence (MOD) was aware of the potential health risks associated with the helicopters but did nothing to stop it.

Mick Irwin has said there should be an inquiry into whether any action was taken to try to mitigate the risks of service personnel being exposed to toxic fumes.

According to The Times, troops who flew in Sea King, Wessex and more recently Puma and Chinook helicopters have been diagnosed with cancers such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, lung cancer, throat cancer and testicular cancer.

Concerns raised over 20 years ago

A report on “rear crew concerns” was published in 2000 by the Rotary Wing Operational Evaluation and Training Unit. The document reported fear among decision-makers that health concerns surrounding Sea Kings could apply to “most helo operations at low speeds with open cabin doors”. This suggested that there could be a problem for the MoD as a whole, as opposed to a specific branch of the air force.

Further documents released under freedom of information requests show experts raised the alarm that exhaust gases were harmful to health as early as 1999, stating that “everything practical” should be carried out to avoid exposure to them by personnel. At the time, it was recommended that the exhaust gases be diverted away from the cabin.

Current cases

Five former service personnel have received payouts in out-of-court settlements, including former Flight Sergeant and helicopter winch operator Zach Stubbings, who trained Prince William and served on Sea King helicopters.

An MOD spokesperson said: “Service personnel and veterans who believe they have suffered ill health due to service from 6 April 2005 have the existing and longstanding right to apply for no-fault compensation under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.”

Lawyers confirmed that over the past week, since the story was published, more than 100 individuals have come forward having either developed cancer themselves or witnessed the suffering of family members who served on British military helicopters.

The UK recently finalized an order for 14 more extended-range Chinooks through a deal with the US government.