Three Royal Navy personnel killed in Merlin Mk4 helicopter crash during Devon training exercise

Three Royal Navy personnel died when a Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed during a training exercise at Sourton Down, near Okehampton in Devon, in the early hours of Wednesday. Emergency services were called at about 03:45 BST; Devon and Somerset Fire Service dispatched seven engines from six stations. A Royal Navy spokesperson confirmed the deaths happened during a "helicopter training exercise," adding that "the families of the service personnel have been informed and have requested a period of grace before further details are released."

The head of the navy, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, said he was "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 added: "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."

The Merlin Mk4 is the battlefield transport flown by the Commando Helicopter Force from RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, which operates 25 of the type in support of the Royal Marines; the helicopters usually carry a crew of four and up to 24 troops. Last week the Ministry of Defence had announced low-level helicopter flying over several southern English counties as part of Exercise Merlin Storm, which typically involves Royal Marines commandos, and the crash site lies close to Okehampton battle camp on the edge of Dartmoor, an area regularly used for Merlin crew training between the Yeovilton and Culdrose air stations. According to flight-tracking sites cited by French defense outlet Opex360, the aircraft was flying under the callsign SWORD 02, apparently accompanied by a second helicopter; images from the scene showed little of the airframe left beyond the tail.

Witnesses described signs of trouble before the crash. One told the BBC the aircraft sounded like "troubled mechanics" as it flew over; another said it was "sounding not right" and "almost took the roof off" his house. A hospital worker quoted by The Sun described seeing a fireball in the sky and said the helicopter crashed into a field and exploded. A nearby resident, Paul, told the BBC he was woken "by an extremely low-flying helicopter" and called the deaths "heart-breaking."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the crash was "utterly tragic" and that he was thinking of "the families, friends and loved ones of the three members of the Royal Navy who sadly lost their lives." 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 to hear of the tragic loss of three service personnel from the Fleet Air Arm," adding: "William and I hold their families and friends in our hearts at this very difficult time." The BBC understands the Prince and Princess of Wales will contact the bereaved families directly, and that the King is aware of the incident and will write privately to them.

Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable James Vaughan said the emergency services, the navy and the Civil Aviation Authority attended the scene and "continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding that crash." The A386 was closed at about 04:30 between the A30 at Sourton Down and Fowley Cross and reopened around 13:30. The Merlin entered Royal Navy service in 1999 and has generally held a good safety record, though a Mk4 ditched in the Channel during a training exercise in September 2024, killing Lt Rhodri Leyshon, and a Merlin crashed at RNAS Culdrose in March 2004, injuring five crew.