Devoted sailors 'loved the navy'

Air-purification equipment was the source of the blast

Two British sailors killed on board the submarine HMS Tireless loved serving in the Royal Navy, their families said.

Anthony Huntrod and Paul McCann were both deployed to the North Pole at the start of March, to take part in joint operations with the US military.

Mr Huntrod, 20, from Sunderland, an Operator Maintainer, had joined the crew in 2006 and was still in training.

A more experienced sailor, 32-year-old Mr McCann from Halesowen, West Midlands was engaged to be married.

The Leading Operator Mechanic had joined HMS Tireless in 2004.

I consider myself fortunate and privileged to have worked with such a committed, capable and effervescent young man Commander Breckenridge, HMS Tireless

Both men were dedicated sailors - one at the very beginning of his career, the other planning to start a new life in the USA.

Mr McCann had joined the Royal Navy in 2001 and proved himself to be a talented and charismatic leader, who was considered a role model by his subordinates.

Educated at the Earls High School in Halesowen, he was a keen sportsman who supported Birmingham City FC, represented both his home team and the navy at cricket and played rugby for Plymouth Command and Old Halesowians.

According to colleagues, he thrived on looking after junior members, but was planning to leave the navy to marry his fiancée Julie who lives in Philadelphia.

Coveted award

The submarine's commander Iain Breckenridge described him as "simply the kind of man a commanding officer could call on at any time and in any circumstances".

Mr Huntrod joined the navy in 2005 and had recently qualified as a submariner, gaining the coveted award of the Dolphins badge.

Fellow shipmates said he was enthusiastic and determined, and had quickly gained the admiration and trust of the ship's company.

Both sailors were deployed to the North Pole at the start of March

Commander Breckenridge said: "I consider myself fortunate and privileged to have worked with such a committed, capable and effervescent young man.

"It was rare that I talked to him without both of us breaking into beaming smiles. He stood at the cusp of a successful career."

In a statement, Mr Huntrod's family said: "He was over the moon when he joined the Navy two years ago. He greatly loved the Navy and the job that he did.

"He will be greatly missed by us for the rest of our lives."

The Royal Navy expressed its "deepest regrets" to the families of the sailors.

A Board of Inquiry investigation has begun into the accident, which took place on Wednesday morning, and is believed to have been cause by an emergency oxygen device.