Three members of the Royal Navy have died after a military helicopter crashed during a training exercise in Devon, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. The incident occurred near Sourton Down, close to Okehampton, in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Emergency services were alerted at around 3:45 am after reports that a Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopter had come down in a field.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the aircraft was taking part in a training exercise when it crashed. In a statement on X, the ministry 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, 3 June near Sourton, Devon." The ministry added that the families of the deceased personnel had been informed. "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," it said.
Identities Withheld
The identities of the three personnel have not yet been released. General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, the First Sea Lord and head of the Royal Navy, expressed his deep sadness over the incident. "I am deeply saddened to share the news that three crew members onboard a Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopter have died after it crashed in the early hours of this morning near Sourton, Devon," he said. "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."
Emergency Response
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that officers were called to the scene shortly before 4 am, and emergency services responded to the crash site. The cause of the crash is under investigation, and further details are expected to be released in due course. The Royal Navy has suspended training flights involving Merlin Mk4 helicopters pending a thorough investigation into the incident.
