Three dead after Royal Navy helicopter crashes during training exercise in Devon

3 Jun 2026 • 9:23 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Three dead after Royal Navy helicopter crashes during training exercise in Devon

  • Three Royal Navy personnel have died following a helicopter crash in Devon.
  • The incident occurred just before 4am today, Wednesday 3 June, in a field at Sourton Down, near Okehampton.
  • The Ministry of Defence confirmed the deaths, stating the families of the service personnel have been informed and requested privacy.
  • General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, head of the Navy, expressed deep sadness and confirmed the helicopter involved was a Merlin Mk4.
  • An investigation into the crash is currently underway, with further updates expected.

IN FULL