A tragic incident has claimed the lives of three Royal Navy personnel after a military helicopter crashed into a field overnight during a routine training exercise, the UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
According to officials, the aircraft went down at around 3:45am near the A30 in Sourton, prompting an immediate large-scale emergency response. Witnesses in the area reported hearing loud explosions and seeing another helicopter hovering over the crash site between 3am and 4am.
Scenes from the location showed devastating fire and thick plumes of smoke lighting up the night sky, while wreckage believed to be part of a Merlin military helicopter was seen engulfed in flames.
Local resident Eddie Amhof described the moment the aircraft appeared to lose power, saying he heard a disturbing mechanical noise followed by sudden silence and a bright red flash illuminating the sky.
Emergency services quickly secured the area, closing nearby roads including parts of the A30 and A3079, while firefighters and investigators worked through the night at the crash site. A nearby filling station was also shut down as a precautionary measure.
The Royal Navy confirmed that one of its helicopters was involved in the accident and said a full investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash. Officials declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing inquiry.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed his concern over the incident during Parliament, describing it as a deeply distressing moment and extending sympathy to the families of the victims. He added that further information would be released once confirmed.
Preliminary tracking data suggests a Merlin HC4 helicopter was operating in the Okehampton area shortly before it disappeared from radar.
The Royal Navy operates Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, which are widely used for operational and training purposes. However, rare accidents have occurred in the past, including a fatal Merlin crash during a training exercise in 2024.
Authorities have confirmed that investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of this tragic incident.
