Sub crew use mobiles to contact Navy rescuers

The crew stranded on a fire-ravaged submarine drifting in the Atlantic are desperately calling rescuers by mobile phone, it emerged today. One sailor has died after being airlifted from the HMCS Chicoutimi with two shipmates. Another 54 Canadian officers and crew remain trapped on board as fierce weather beats back attempts to save the submarine.

The men are said to be using battery-powered satellite telephones and personal mobiles to try to keep in touch with the Royal Navy rescuers.

Last night it was confirmed

that crewman Lieutenant Chris Saunders had died from smoke inhalation.

The blaze broke out when the submarine was 100 miles off the west of Ireland on Tuesday. Two Royal Navy ships and a third vessel carrying supplies and a medical team reached it yesterday but high winds and heavy seas are continuing to hamper the rescue.

The Chicoutimi was built for the Royal Navy, when it was known as HMS Upholder, and was bought by the Canadian navy.