The crash

A Royal Navy helicopter crashed into a field in Devon, southwest England, during a training exercise in the early hours of Wednesday 3 June. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that three crewmembers died in the incident, which occurred just before 04:00 local time near Sourton, a village on the edge of Dartmoor.

“It is with deep sadness that we can confirm three members of the Royal Navy have died during a helicopter training exercise on Wednesday June 3 near Sourton, Devon.”

Emergency services attended the scene and police closed several roads around the crash site. The area, near the Okehampton training camp, is frequently used for military helicopter exercises, sitting between the naval air stations at Yeovilton in Somerset and Culdrose in Cornwall.

Witness accounts and investigation

Witnesses reported hearing sounds resembling engine failure as the helicopter flew overhead, according to the BBC. Debris was visible in the field where the aircraft came down. A Royal Navy spokesperson said an investigation into the cause of the crash is underway, adding that it was not appropriate to comment further at this stage.

“An investigation is underway.”

Official response

Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the incident as deeply distressing for the affected families. The Ministry of Defence said the families of the service personnel have been informed and have requested a period of privacy before further details are released.

“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.”

The location

Sourton Down, near Okehampton, lies on the northern edge of Dartmoor in Devon. The area hosts a military training facility used by the Commando Helicopter Force for Merlin helicopter crew training. The crash site sits between two Royal Navy air stations: Yeovilton in Somerset and Culdrose in Cornwall, both of which support rotary-wing operations.