Three Royal Navy personnel died early Wednesday when their helicopter crashed during a training exercise on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, England. Emergency services were called to Sourton Down, near Okehampton, at about 03:45 BST, and a major incident was declared.
A Royal Navy spokesperson confirmed the deaths and said that the families of those killed had requested time before further details were released. "It is with deep sadness that we can confirm three members of the Royal Navy have died during a helicopter training exercise," the spokesperson said. "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 aircraft was a Merlin Mk4 helicopter, according to the BBC. Images from the scene showed the front of the aircraft had been destroyed. A BBC reporter at the scene described the wreckage as "devastating," visible in a nearby field.
Witnesses told reporters they heard the helicopter before the crash. A BBC reporter on BBC Radio Devon relayed one account: "A witness I spoke to described it as sounding not right as it flew over his house and it almost took the roof of his house off. He said it sounded like it was clearly in trouble and it sounded like it was mechanically failing."
The helicopter is understood to have been based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset. Military helicopters frequently train in the area around north Dartmoor, which sits between Yeovilton and the Royal Navy's air base at Culdrose in Cornwall. The crash site is also near Okehampton battle camp, a military training facility on the edge of Dartmoor used by Merlin helicopter crews from the Commando Helicopter Force.
The Merlin helicopter is primarily used for anti-submarine warfare and can also be used for search and rescue, cargo transfers, and maritime patrol.
Head of the Navy, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, said in a statement: "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."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addressed the House of Commons, saying: "This will be a deeply worrying time for the families and more information will be set out as soon as possible."
Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable James Vaughan said his force, along with the navy and the Civil Aviation Authority, attended the scene. Devon and Somerset Fire Service dispatched seven engines from six stations. The A386 road near the crash site was closed for hours before partially reopening in the afternoon, though a slip road off the A30 remained shut.
Vaughan said his force was continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash.
