Three members of the Royal Navy have died after a helicopter crashed into a field in Devon early on Wednesday morning.
The incident occurred around 4am on Wednesday at Sourton Down, near Okehampton.
The Ministry of Defence said: "It is with deep sadness that we can confirm three members of the Royal Navy have died during a helicopter training exercise.”
They added that the families of the service personnel had been informed and have requested a period of grace before further details are released.
Sir Keir Starmer told MPs during Prime Minister's Questions that the crash was "deeply worrying".
Images from the scene show the front of the aircraft, which appears to be a Merlin helicopter, had been destroyed in the incident.
We’ll bring you the latest updates below...
Prince and Princess of Wales 'saddened' by helicopter crash deaths
17:00 , Megan Howe
The Princess of Wales, who is Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, said she was “saddened” to hear of the deaths of three Royal Navy personnel in a helicopter crash in Devon in the early hours of Wednesday.
In a personally signed message posted on social media, she wrote: “I was so saddened to hear of the tragic loss of three service personnel from the Fleet Air Arm following a helicopter training exercise last night.
“William and I hold their families and friends in our hearts at this very difficult time. C”
It is understood that Kate and the Prince of Wales will contact the families of those who died in the coming days.
Starmer says crash was 'utterly tragic'
15:06 , Tom Place
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called the fatal Royal Navy helicopter crash “utterly tragic”.
He said: “My thoughts are with the families, friends and loved ones of the three members of the Royal Navy who sadly lost their lives this morning.
“Thank you to the emergency services responding to this horrific incident.”
Lib Dem MP: 'The whole Royal Navy community will be mourning their loss'
15:01 , Tom Place
Liberal Democrat MP James MacCleary has posted on X following this morning’s helicopter crash.
The Lewes MP wrote: “My thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of the three Royal Navy personnel who tragically lost their lives during a helicopter training exercise in Devon earlier today.
“At this difficult time, I am sure the whole Royal Navy community will be mourning their loss.”
Conservative MPs pays tribute to armed forces
14:44 , Tom Place
Geoffrey Cox, the Conservative MP for Torridge and Tavistock, has expressed his condolences following this morning’s crash, and paid tribute to the armed forces.
Posting on X, he wrote: “My profound sympathy for the families of those who died in the tragic RN helicopter crash at Sourton Down this morning.
“It is another reminder of how those who serve in our armed forces in peace and war are exposed to constant risk and peril for the sake of us all.”
My profound sympathy for the families of those who died in the tragic RN helicopter crash at Sourton Down this morning. It is another reminder of how those who serve in our armed forces in peace and war are exposed to constant risk and peril for the sake of us all.
— Geoffrey Cox KC MP (@Geoffrey_Cox) June 3, 2026
Witness saw 'almighty flash of red' before crash
14:40 , Tom Place
A witness has ITV News that he heard engines cut out before seeing an “almighty flash of red” when the helicopter crashed this morning.
Eddie Amhof said: “I heard this horrendous noise from a helicopter, it sounded like he was going to pitch on the roof. It was a terrible noise.
“By the time I got out of bed, and got to the window, he’d moved away about half a mile.
“And all of a sudden, no noise at all. The engines was gone.”
He added: “At the same time as the engines went, there was an almighty flash of red which lit up the sky.
“About five to six minutes after that there was a big bang, an explosion.”
Defence secretary 'devastated' by helicopter crash
14:36 , Tom Place
Defence Secretary John Healey has said he is “devastated” by the loss of three service personnel in this morning’s helicopter crash.
He said: “They served with excellence and will be much missed.
“All our thoughts are with their families, friends and those they served with at this incredibly sad time.
“I thank the emergency services for their response.”
Navy chief gives condolences
14:23 , Tom Place
The head of the Navy, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, has released a statement following the news of the three deaths.
He 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.
“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.
“I would like to thank Devon and Cornwall Police and the search and rescue teams who responded to the incident this morning.
“An investigation is under way and further updates will be provided in due course.”
MoD confirm three dead in helicopter crash
14:10 , Tom Place
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) have confirmed that three people have died
Posting on X, the MoD wrote: “It is with deep sadness that we can confirm three members of the Royal Navy have died during a helicopter training exercise on Wednesday 3 June near Sourton, Devon.”
It is with deep sadness that we can confirm three members of the Royal Navy have died during a helicopter training exercise on Wednesday 3 June near Sourton, Devon. pic.twitter.com/rbPBmHZvOu
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) June 3, 2026
Police release updated statement
13:45 , Tom Place
Devon and Cornwall Police have issued an updated statement regarding this morning’s helicopter crash.
The statement reads: “Police were notified at approximately 3.45am this morning, Wednesday 3 June, following reports of a crash involving a Royal Navy helicopter in a field at Sourton Down, near Okehampton in Devon.
“The incident resulted in a multi-agency response with emergency services still on scene. The Ministry of Defence are also in attendance.
“Several road closures remain in place in the area, including around the A386 and at the A30 Sourton Cross slip road and services area.
“Motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible and seek alternative routes.
“Our enquiries remain ongoing at the scene.
“We are asking for people not to post videos and images online but instead share with police. Any information can be reported to us via 101 or by our website quoting log 67 03/06/26.”
Photos of the helicopter crash site
13:36 , tom place
Shocking images show the wreckage following the helicopter crash in Devon in the early hours of this morning.
Photos emerge of crash site
12:27 , tom place
Images have emerged of the scene of the helicopter crash, showing how the front of the aircraft had been destroyed in the incident.
Merlin helicopters usually have a crew of four and can carry up to 24 troops.
Starmer comments on helicopter crash
12:20 , Tom Place
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has updated MPs on the Royal Navy helicopter crash in Devon.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, he said he was “aware of a Royal Navy helicopter crash this morning in Devon”.
“This will be a deeply worrying time for the families and more information will be set out as soon as possible,” he said.
Sources claim downed helicopter is a Merlin
11:24 , Tom Place
The type of helicopter involved in the morning’s crash has not been named, but sources have claimed that it was a Merlin.
The Merlin has has a good safety record, but in 2024 a Merlin Mk4 ditched while operating from HMS Queen Elizabeth off Dorset in September 2024, with the loss of the pilot.
Crash scene close to military facility
11:05 , Tom Place
This morning’s crash scene is close to Okehampton battle camp, a military facility on the edge of Dartmoor which has been used for training Merlin helicopter crews from the Commando Helicopter Force.
There has not yet been confirmation regarding the cause of the crash, nor if there were any casualties.
Emergency services remain on site, while a number of roads in the area are still closed.
Two Royal Navy air stations close to crash site
10:16 , Tom Place
Two Royal Navy air stations are located relatively close to the crash site.
RNAS Culdrose, one of Europe's largest helicopter bases, is located near Helston in Cornwall, while RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset houses more than 100 aircraft.
No details have been released regarding where the helicopter departed from, nor it’s destination.
Labour MP monitoring situation
10:10 , Tom Place
Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View Fred Thomas has posted on X following this morning’s helicopter crash.
Mr Thomas wrote: “I am aware of reports of a Royal Navy helicopter incident.
“I understand several road closures are in place around the A386 and A30 Sourton Cross slip, whilst emergency services respond.
“It would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage until the MOD release a statement, but I am monitoring the situation and will update back here.”
I am aware of reports of a Royal Navy helicopter incident.
— Fred Thomas MP (@FredThomasUK) June 3, 2026
I understand several road closures are in place around the A386 and A30 Sourton Cross slip, whilst emergency services respond.
It would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage until the MOD release a…
Royal Navy investigation underway
10:01 , Tom Place
A Royal Navy spokesman has confirmed that an investigation is under way, following a Royal Navy helicopter crash at just before 4am today in Devon.
Roads closed until the afternoon
09:57 , Tom Place
National Highways traffic updates website says that the road closure of the A386, between the A30 at Sourton Down and the A3079 Fowley Cross in Okehampton, is expected to be in place until 12.15pm
Staff at Sourton Cross Service Station, located near the scene, have reportedly said that the services were currently inaccessible.
Cause of crash still unknown
09:52 , Tom Place
The cause of this morning’s helicopter crash remains unknown at the moment, with emergency services remaining at the scene.
It is also unclear how many passengers were on board, or if anyone was injured.
The helicopter is believed to have crashed in the early hours of this morning, with locals reporting a "loud bang" in the area shortly after 3am.
One resident posted on social media: "Heard a helicopter very low around us at 03.30 this morning, looked out, no lights but sound going towards Okehampton! Hope all ok."
Devon and Cornwall Police release statement
09:47 , Tom Place
Devon and Cornwall Police have released a statement following this morning’s helicopter crash.
A spokesperson said: “The incident is ongoing and we will share more updates as we have them.
“The Ministry of Defence have confirmed it was a Royal Navy helicopter.”
Several road closures are now in place in the area, including the A386 and A30 Sourton Cross slip and services area.
Royal Navy helicopter crashes into field
09:31 , Michael Howie
A Royal Navy helicopter has crashed into a field near Okehampton in Devon, according to police.
Emergency services have descended to the scene of the crash at Sourton Down, near Okehampton.
The helicopter is reported come down in the early hours of Wednesday morning, with locals reporting a "loud bang" around 3am.
