Three Royal Navy Personnel Killed in Merlin Helicopter Crash During Training Exercise in Devon
Three Royal Navy personnel have died following a helicopter crash during a training exercise in Devon. Emergency services were called to Sourton Down, near Okehampton, at approximately 03:45 BST, and a major incident was subsequently declared. A Royal Navy spokesperson confirmed the deaths, stating, “it is with deep sadness that we can confirm three members of the Royal Navy have died during a helicopter training exercise.”
Details of the Incident and Response
The crash involved a Merlin Mk4 helicopter, with images from the scene showing the front of the aircraft had been destroyed. Road closures were put in place near the A30 and A386 following the incident. The A386 between the A30 at Sourton Down and the A3079 Fowley Cross in Okehampton was closed at about 04:30 and reopened at approximately 13:30, though National Highways reported that the eastbound exit slip road of the A30 remained closed. Staff at Sourton Cross Service Station, located near the scene, said the services were currently inaccessible.
Statements from Officials and Military Leadership
The Royal Navy spokesperson added, “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.” Head of the Navy, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, said in a statement, “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.” Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told the Commons, “This will be a deeply worrying time for the families and more information will be set out as soon as possible.”
Emergency Services and Investigation
Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable James Vaughan confirmed that emergency services, the navy, and the Civil Aviation Authority attended the scene. “We continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding that crash,” Vaughan added. Devon and Somerset Fire Service said seven engines from six stations, including one in Cornwall, had been dispatched to the scene. A fire service spokesperson noted, “Several specialist resources were also deployed including an Environmental Protection Unit, Welfare Unit, Command Unit and an Urban Search and Rescue team. One appliance remains at the scene.”
Eyewitness Accounts and Training Context
At the scene, BBC reporter Richard Green said he had spoken to witnesses who reported hearing noises that sounded like “troubled mechanics” as a helicopter flew over. He described the scene as “devastating” with wreckage visible in a field. “A witness I spoke to described it as sounding not right as it flew over his house and it almost took the roof of his house off,” Green said on BBC Radio Devon. “He said it sounded like it was clearly in trouble and it sounded like it was mechanically failing.” Military helicopters often train in the area around north Dartmoor, which lies between the Royal Navy’s air bases at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset and Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall. The crash site is also close to Okehampton battle camp, a military facility on the edge of Dartmoor used for training Merlin helicopter crews from the Commando Helicopter Force. The BBC understands the helicopter was based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton. According to the Royal Navy’s website, the Merlin helicopter is primarily used for anti-submarine warfare and can also be used for search and rescue, cargo transfers, and maritime patrol.
Context
The crash follows similar military aviation accidents in the region, including a 2023 incident involving a Royal Air Force training aircraft near the same area, and a 2021 crash of a Royal Navy helicopter during a night training exercise in Cornwall.