- Three Royal Navy personnel died after a Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed during a training exercise near Sourton Down, Devon, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
- Emergency services were alerted around 3.45am to the incident, which involved a Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopter.
- General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, head of the Navy, expressed deep sadness, confirming the deaths and extending condolences to the families.
- Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey also conveyed their devastation and sadness over the tragic loss of life.
- The King and the Princess of Wales, Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, have been informed and expressed their condolences to the families of the deceased.
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