The Royal Navy is mourning the loss of three highly respected service personnel who died when a Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed during a routine training exercise in Devon.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that those who lost their lives were Chris Gayson, Lily-Mae Fisher, and Owen Green. All three were based in Yeovil, Somerset, and served within the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force.
The Merlin Mk4 helicopter came down near Sourton Down, close to Okehampton on the edge of Dartmoor, during the early hours of Wednesday morning. Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 3.45am following reports of the crash.
Among those killed was Lieutenant Fisher, who held the distinction of being Britain’s only serving female commando. Her achievement was widely admired throughout the armed forces and represented a significant milestone for women serving in elite military roles.
The crash has sent shockwaves through the military community, particularly at nearby RNAS Yeovilton, where the personnel were based. The station is home to more than 100 aircraft and serves as one of the Royal Navy’s principal aviation centres.
Paying tribute to the deceased, Colonel Will Penkman, Commanding Officer of the Commando Helicopter Force, described the incident as a tragedy.
“It is a tragedy that we lost three members of the CHF family yesterday,” he said. “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.”
He added that their loss had left “a terrible gap in our hearts” and extended his condolences to their families and friends.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “deeply saddened” by the crash, later describing the deaths as “utterly tragic”. Defence Secretary John Healey said he was “devastated” by the loss of personnel who had “served with excellence and will be much missed”.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are continuing. For now, attention remains focused on remembering three dedicated servicemen and women whose commitment to duty ended in tragedy while serving their country.
