Three killed in Royal Navy Merlin helicopter training crash in Devon

A Royal Navy AgustaWestland AW101 (Merlin HC4) helicopter crashed into a field in Devon in the early hours of Wednesday 3 June, killing three service personnel and prompting an investigation by defence authorities.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the incident occurred at Sourton Down, near Okehampton, shortly before 04:00hrs local time. Emergency services were deployed to the scene around 04:30hrs, with closures implemented on nearby roads.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed the aircraft involved was a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter, which are typically used for transport, anti-submarine warfare, and training operations.

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 just before 0400 on Wednesday 3 June near Sourton, Devon. The families of the service personnel have been informed and have requested a period of grace before further details are released.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the House of Commons he had been informed of the crash and said it would be a “deeply worrying time” for those affected, adding that further details would be provided as they became available.

The crash site lies on the edge of Dartmoor, an area surrounded by key military infrastructure including HMNB Devonport in Plymouth and training establishments such as RM Lympstone and BRNC Dartmouth.

The Merlin fleet has a strong operational safety record but has been involved in previous incidents. A Merlin Mk4 ditched off the Dorset coast in September 2024 during operations from HMS Queen Elizabeth, resulting in the death of a pilot. An official board of inquiry report has not yet been published.

Authorities have not confirmed any casualties or the circumstances leading to the crash, and the investigation is ongoing.