Three Royal Navy personnel have died after a Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed during a training exercise on Sourton Down, near Okehampton in Devon.
Emergency services were called to the scene at about 03:45 BST. A major incident was declared after the aircraft came down in a field close to Okehampton Battle Camp, a military training facility on the edge of Dartmoor. The wreckage is visible at the site.
The Royal Navy said it was “with deep sadness that we can confirm three members of the Royal Navy have died during a helicopter training exercise”. Families have been informed and have asked for a period of privacy before further details are released.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the crash as “utterly tragic” and said his thoughts were with the families, friends and loved ones of the three service personnel. General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, head of the navy, expressed his condolences to the naval community. Defence Secretary John Healey said he was “devastated by the loss of three service personnel”. The Princess of Wales, in her role as Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, said she was “so saddened” and the BBC understands the royal family will contact the bereaved families directly in the coming days.
Officials confirmed the aircraft involved was a Merlin Mk4. Merlin helicopters entered service with the Royal Navy in 1999. There are two main variants in service: the Mk2, based at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall and primarily used for anti-submarine work, and the Mk4, based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset with the Commando Helicopter Force supporting Royal Marines.
Military crews frequently train over north Dartmoor, which lies between the Yeovilton and Culdrose bases. Witnesses near the crash said they heard unusual noises as the helicopter flew over, describing sounds like “troubled mechanics” and saying the aircraft “sounded not right” before the incident.
Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable James Vaughan said the emergency services, the navy and the Civil Aviation Authority attended the scene and that an investigation into the circumstances of the crash is under way. The police have appealed for anyone with information or relevant footage to come forward.
Devon and Somerset Fire Service dispatched seven appliances from six stations and several specialist resources, including an Environmental Protection Unit, Welfare Unit, Command Unit and an Urban Search and Rescue team. The service said one appliance remained at the scene.
Road closures were put in place near the A30 and A386; the A386 reopened at about 13:30 but National Highways said the eastbound exit slip road of the A30 remained closed. Local services close to the site were inaccessible while emergency response continued.
Authorities have launched formal inquiries and recovery work at the site is ongoing. Investigators from military and civilian agencies will examine the wreckage and relevant records. The navy has asked for a period of grace for the families and those affected as the investigation progresses.
