Prince William’s fellow RAF Sea King airman wins MoD payout after his rare cancer is linked to helicopter’s fumes – sparking health fears over future king
- Flight Sergeant Zach Stubbings, 42, spent 15-year RAF career piloting Sea King
- He inhaled the fumes from the now-retired aircraft’s powerful twin engines
- MoD were forced to admit that his the fumes caused his bone marrow cancer
- Prince William piloted Sea King for 3 years while in RAF search and rescue Force
Prince William’s fellow RAF Sea King airman has received a payout from the Ministry of Defence after his rare cancer was linked to toxic fumes from the helicopter.
Flight Sergeant Zach Stubbings, 42, from Cardiff, spent his 15-years RAF career inhaling the fumes from the now-retired aircraft’s powerful twin engines.
The MoD have been forced to admit that the fumes caused Flight Sergeant Stubbings’ bone marrow cancer, multiple myeloma, following a six-year legal battle.
Prince William also piloted the aircraft for three years while serving in the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force at RAF Valley, Anglesey.
He carried out 156 search and rescue operations – saving 149 people – during his time there.
The fume dangers highlighted by Flight Sergeant Stubbings’ legal bid will no doubt cause concern within the Royal Family.
Flight Sergeant Zach Stubbings, 42, (right) from Cardiff, spent his 15-years RAF career inhaling the fumes from the now-retired aircraft’s powerful twin engines
Prince William also piloted the aircraft (pictured at the controls of Sea King) for three years while serving in the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force at RAF Valley, Anglesey
The MoD have been forced to admit that the fumes caused Flight Sergeant Stubbings’ (pictured) bone marrow cancer, multiple myeloma, following a six-year legal battle
Flight Sergeant Stubbings uncovered documents from 1999 revealing that the MoD were warned of potential issues caused by Sea King fumes by experts.
But nothing was done to rectify the issue, The Sun reports.
Flight Sergeant Stubbings told the paper: ‘The Government chose to ignore it. It’s a scandal.’
An MoD spokesperson said: ‘The health and safety of our personnel is of the utmost importance and we are committed to providing a safe working environment.
‘Three studies undertaken by the RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine into Sea King found there were no definitive conclusions in terms of risk to health.
‘RAF Sea King reached the end of service in 2016.’
The Duke of Cambridge started as an Officer Cadet the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2006.
He went on to a commission in the Household Cavalry before joining The Blues and Royals as a Lieutenant.
He then transferred to the Royal Air Force and began his Search and Rescue pilot training in January 2009.