Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 Crash Kills Three Near Okehampton, Devon During Training Exercise

Three members of the Royal Navy died after a Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed into a field during a training exercise near Sourton Down, close to Okehampton, in Devon, with the Ministry of Defence saying the incident happened just before 4am on Wednesday.

“UK Royal Navy says 3 members died in a helicopter crash during a training exercise Britain’s Royal Navy said three of its members died in a helicopter crash earlier in southwest England during a training exercise LONDON -- Britain’s Royal Navy said Wednesday that three of its members died in a helicopter crash earlier in southwest England during a training exercise”

ABC News

Police said emergency services were notified at around 3.45am after reports of a crash at Sourton Down, near Okehampton, and Devon and Cornwall Police said the three crew members were confirmed deceased.

ABC News

General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, head of the Navy, said, “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.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “deeply saddened” by the crash and later described it on social media as “utterly tragic,” while Defence Secretary John Healey said he was “devastated” at the three deaths of personnel who “served with excellence and will be much missed.”

The Ministry of Defence said the families of the service personnel killed in the incident have been informed and requested a period of grace before further details are released.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said, “It is with deep sadness that we can confirm three members of the Royal Navy have died during a helicopter training exercise,” and said the investigation is under way.

Air Data News

Devon and Cornwall Police said the force asked people not to post videos and images online, but instead share them with police, after a witness told ITV News he heard engines cut out before seeing an “almighty flash of red” when the helicopter crashed.

In a personally signed message posted on social media, the Princess of Wales, who is Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, wrote, “William and I hold their families and friends in our hearts at this very difficult time.”

The crash site was close to Okehampton battle camp on the edge of Dartmoor, a military facility used for training Merlin helicopter crews from the Commando Helicopter Force.

“A helicopter crash in northwestern England has killed three British naval crew, according to the UK Ministry of Defence”

Al Jazeera

The Royal Navy said Merlin helicopters are primarily used for anti-submarine warfare and can also be used for search and rescue, cargo transfers and maritime patrol, and the Merlin Mk4 involved in the incident usually has a crew of four and can carry up to 24 troops.

Sky News said several road closures were in place around the A386 and A30 Sourton Cross area after the incident, with Traffic England expecting disruption on the A30 eastbound exit slip to the A386 until around 12.30pm.

The Ministry of Defence said the incident is being investigated, and the Royal Navy said further updates will be provided in due course, while the King is understood to be aware of the crash and will write privately to the families.