A Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed in a field near Sourton, close to Okehampton, in Devon, during a training activity in the early hours of 3 June 2026.
The crash happened shortly before 4am, according to information released by British authorities. Emergency crews were called to the area at around 4:30am, while local police set up a safety perimeter and closed nearby sections of the A386 and the A30 link at Sourton Cross.
Initially, the Royal Navy said only that an incident involving a helicopter had occurred near Sourton and that an investigation was underway. Later, the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed the deaths of three service personnel during a routine training activity in Devon.
The victims were identified as Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson and Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher, both from 846 Naval Air Squadron, as well as Petty Officer Owen Green, from 845 Naval Air Squadron. The Royal Navy said the three had dedicated their lives to naval service and asked for the privacy of their families to be respected.
The aircraft involved was a Merlin Mk4, a model used by the Commando Helicopter Force for transport and support missions in military environments. The head of the Royal Navy, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, said he was deeply saddened by the loss of the three service personnel, while the investigation into the circumstances of the crash remains ongoing.
Devon and Cornwall Police said several teams remained in the area after the crash, with road closures nearby to allow emergency services and investigators to carry out their work. Residents in the area reported hearing a loud bang during the early hours, but authorities have not yet publicly established the cause of the crash.
The Ministry of Defence highlighted the careers of the three service personnel. Chris Gayson, 42, was an experienced pilot and had joined the Royal Navy in 2008. Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, joined the Navy in 2019 and was described as an inspiration to many people, especially because of her career in naval aviation. Owen Green, 24, had joined the Royal Navy in 2022 and served as an aircrewman.
The commander of the Commando Helicopter Force, Colonel Will Penkman, mourned the loss of three members of the force and said they were dedicated professionals with promising futures. British Defence Secretary John Healey also described the deaths as a devastating loss for the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces.
The Merlin helicopter is one of the Royal Navy’s main air platforms, operated in different versions. The Merlin Mk2 is used in roles such as anti-submarine warfare and airborne surveillance, while the Merlin Mk4 is employed by the Commando Helicopter Force in transport and operational support missions.
Source: Ministry of Defence, Royal Navy. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
