Three killed in Royal Navy helicopter crash after it burst into flames during training exercise in Devon pictured
THREE members of the Royal Navy who died after a helicopter turned into a “fireball” before crashing to the ground have been pictured.
The aircraft was flying over Sourton, in Devon, in the early hours yesterday morning when it caught fire.
The Royal Navy confirmed that three service personnel died after the chopper fell from the sky at around 4am.
The trio have since been named as Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson, 42, 31-year-old Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher of 846 Naval Air Squadron and Petty Officer Owen Green, 24, of 845 Naval Air Squadron.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP, said: “The loss of Lieutenant Commander Gayson, Lieutenant Fisher and Petty Officer Green is truly devastating. They were dedicated and highly valued members of their squadrons who embodied the best of our Armed Forces.
“Their deaths are a profound loss to all who knew them. My thoughts are with their families, loved ones and those who served alongside side them at this deeply tragic time.”
Royal Navy pilot, Lily-Mae Fisher, who has been identified as one of those who died in the tragedy, once appeared on TV dating show Take Me Out.
The pilot said being on the hit ITV1 dating show, hosted by Paddy McGuinness, over ten years ago was “one of the most surreal five days of my life.”
Lily-Mae passed the gruelling All Arms Commando course that culminated in a 30-mile speed march with weapons and kit on Dartmoor in 2024.
At the time she was one of just seven women to complete the course in seven years.
Responding to the fatal helicopter crash yesterday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it was “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.”
Eyewitness Louise, 32, was driving home from her night shift along the A30 when she witnessed the disaster.
She said: “I saw a ball of fire in the sky.
“It crashed into the field and then exploded. It was terrifying. I don’t think anyone could have survived that.
“It all happened so quickly.”
The helicopter – an AgustaWestland Merlin – can carry up to three crew and 24 fully laden troops.
It is not the first time a Merlin helicopter has crashed, with the most recent tragedy occurring less than two years ago.
A pilot tragically died after a chopper operating from the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth ditched into the sea off Dorset in September 2024.
Yesterday’s tragedy occurred just west of Dartmoor and nearby Okehampton Battle Camp.
The military installation is used extensively to train Royal Marine commandos and for navigation training for helicopter pilots.
Emergency services were scrambled to the crash site and closed several roads in the surrounding area including Sourton Services.
Shocking video filmed in the aftermath of today’s crash showed the helicopter burning on the ground while fire crews tackled the blaze.
Pictures taken later showed the smouldering blackened remains of the downed chopper.
Part of the tailfin and rotor, a main rotor blade, and a wheel could be seen among the debris.
Locals said they heard several helicopters in the area on the night of the crash, with some saying they later heard an explosion.
The Royal Navy has two air bases close to Devon – RNAS Culdrose near Helston, Cornwall, and RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset – which houses more than 100 aircraft.
Commander of Joint Aviation Command, Air Vice-Marshal Lee Turner RAF, said: “The loss of three deeply capable and professional aviators during the tragic incident yesterday is the cause of profound sadness across the Joint Aviation Command and the Commando Helicopter Force in particular.
“They will be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with the families and all those affected.”
Commanding Officer of Commando Helicopter Force, Colonel Will Penkman, said: “It is a tragedy that we lost three members of the CHF family yesterday. Cherished members of the force with bright futures ahead of them, they were all highly committed professionals infused with the Junglie spirit of the force.
“Their loss leaves a terrible gap in our hearts and my thoughts go out to their family and friends who dearly loved them.”
