Three crewmembers killed in UK Navy helicopter crash

Three British Royal Navy crewmembers have died in a helicopter crash in southwest England, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Wednesday.

"It is with deep sadness that we can confirm three members of the Royal Navy have died during a helicopter training exercise just before 0400 on Wednesday 3 June near Sourton, Devon," a Navy spokesperson said.

The head of the Navy, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, added in a statement that the helicopter was a Merlin Mk4.

"An investigation is under way, and further updates will be provided in due course," he said.

The scene of the crash is close to Okehampton battle camp, a military facility on the edge of Dartmoor which has been used for training Merlin helicopter crews from the Commando Helicopter Force.

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— Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) June 3, 2026