Overview
- The helicopter crashed in a field near Sourton Down just before 4am on Wednesday, June 3, and the Ministry of Defence confirmed three Royal Navy personnel died.
- The MoD and Royal Navy have opened a formal service inquiry and have informed families who have requested a period of grace before further details are released.
- Devon and Cornwall Police led a multi‑agency emergency response with fire, ambulance and air ambulance crews and imposed road closures around the A30 and A386 while the site was secured.
- Witnesses reported the aircraft lost engine noise and produced a bright flash before striking the ground and the wreckage has been linked to a Merlin Mk4 that trains from nearby bases and the Okehampton range.
- The crash will draw scrutiny of Merlin training and safety after a separate fatal Merlin Mk4 ditching in 2024, and investigators say the service inquiry could take time before causes or recommendations are published.