Three die in Royal Navy helicopter crash in Devon
It happened in the early hours of this morning
Last updated 3rd Jun 2026
Three members of the Royal Navy have died after a helicopter crashed into a field during a training exercise.
The Ministry of Defence said the incident happened just before 4am on Wednesday, with images emerging of the destroyed aircraft at the scene.
Police said emergency services were notified at around 3.45am, after reports of a crash at Sourton Down, near Okehampton, Devon.
In a post on social media, the Ministry of Defence said: “It is with deep sadness that we can confirm three members of the Royal Navy have died during a helicopter training exercise on Wednesday June 3 near Sourton, Devon.
“The families of the service personnel have been informed and have requested a period of grace before further details are released.
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with their families and friends at this sad time.”
Tributes
The head of the Navy, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, said in a statement: “I am deeply saddened to share the news that three crewmembers onboard a Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopter have died after it crashed in the early hours of this morning near Sourton, Devon.
“I know this will come as a huge shock to all in our Naval community, and my deepest condolences go out to the families, friends and loved ones impacted by this tragedy.
“I would like to thank Devon and Cornwall Police and the search and rescue teams who responded to the incident this morning.
“An investigation is under way and further updates will be provided in due course.”
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir Starmer said he was aware of the crash, adding: “This will be a deeply worrying time for the families and more information will be set out as soon as possible.”
Defence Secretary, John Healey, said: “I am devastated by the loss of three service personnel overnight.
“They served with excellence and will be much missed.
“All our thoughts are with their families, friends and those they served with at this incredibly sad time.
“I thank the emergency services for their response.”
The Chair of Devon County Council, Councillor Rosie Dawson, said: “I am deeply saddened to hear about the helicopter crash in Devon this morning involving military personnel. My thoughts are with everyone affected, especially the families and loved ones of those involved. On behalf of Devon County Council, I want to thank the emergency services for their swift response in what is clearly a very difficult and distressing situation.”
The Princess of Wales, who is Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, said she was “saddened” to hear of the deaths of three Royal Navy personnel in a helicopter crash in Devon in the early hours of Wednesday.
In a personally signed message posted on social media, she wrote: “I was so saddened to hear of the tragic loss of three service personnel from the Fleet Air Arm following a helicopter training exercise last night.
“William and I hold their families and friends in our hearts at this very difficult time. C”
It is understood that Kate and the Prince of Wales will contact the families of those who died in the coming days.
The King is aware of the tragic Royal Navy helicopter crash and the death of three service personnel and will write privately to the families, it is understood.
Merlin Mk4
Merlin helicopters, such as the Merlin Mk4 involved in the incident, usually have a crew of four and can carry up to 24 troops.
In 2024, a Merlin Mk4 ditched in the Channel during a training exercise, killing Lieutenant Rhodri Leyshon.
The area lies between the Royal Navy’s air bases at Yeovilton in Somerset and Culdrose in Cornwall.
The scene of the crash is close to Okehampton battle camp, a military facility on the edge of Dartmoor which has been used for training Merlin helicopter crews from the Commando Helicopter Force.
The Merlin helicopter is primarily used for anti-submarine warfare.
The aircraft can also be used for search and rescue, cargo transfers and maritime patrol, according to the Royal Navy’s website.
A former senior RAF officer, with five years’ experience flying the Merlin helicopter, told the Press Association: “This would’ve been very standard for the Royal Navy. That is absolutely their standard training area.
“As it is for most UK helicopters, it’s not very well populated, it’s good terrain, it’s challenging. The guys and girls need to train as close to reality as possible, so it’s perfect for them.
“When I was flying the Merlin we would have been carrying out routine training there. So conducting low-level, concealed approaches and departures, operating in formation, operating in bad weather, difficult terrain.
“Trying to replicate any difficult flying conditions that you would see on operations really.
“From my experience some of that terrain is not hugely hilly. It’s more rolling hills than anything and it’s really hard to see where the ground goes up, where the ground goes down.”
Asked about reports that the helicopter had been flying close to the ground, the former officer said: “They can fly down to 250 feet, which at night sounds very, very low, just because it is dark and there’s no other noise. But if they were making approaches, then obviously they can transition lower than 250 feet and make approaches to land to the ground.
“Noise does travel a lot more and it sounds a lot louder and lower at night.”