LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- A local man was killed in a submarine accident in England Friday, NewsChannel5 reported.

Michael J. Holtz, 30, of Lakewood, and a Kentucky man died when they fell overboard as the submarine was leaving port in Plymouth, England, The U.S. Navy said.

They were among four crewmen who were working in poor weather on the outside casing of the USS Minneapolis-St Paul off the Devon coast.

The sailors were taken to a local hospital.

The USS Minneapolis-St. Paul had just completed a week long visit to Plymouth.

The American nuclear-powered submarine, which is based in Norfolk, Va., was leaving the harbour at the time of the incident. It has since continued on its journey.

It has been operating under the US Sixth Fleet since October.

The submarine, which has a complement of 137 officers and enlisted crew, can reach speeds exceeding 25 knots (29mph). Its weapons include torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The deaths were being called an accident, according to the Navy. The cause is still under investigation.