Royal Navy Loses 3 Crew in Merlin Mk4 Crash During Devon Training Exercise
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 3
Royal Navy Loses 3 Crew in Merlin Mk4 Crash During Devon Training Exercise
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 3
Summary
Three Royal Navy crew members died after a Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed near Sourton Down, Devon, around 4 a.m. Wednesday during a training exercise, the Ministry of Defence said.
An investigation is under way as witness Eddie Amhof told ITV News he heard the engines cut out before a red flash lit the sky, followed minutes later by an explosion.
Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey called the deaths tragic, while the families have been informed and requested privacy before further details are released.
The crash site lies near Okehampton battle camp between the navy airbases at Yeovilton and Culdrose, an area used to train Merlin crews from the commando helicopter force.
The Merlin fleet is used for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue and maritime patrol; in 2024, another Merlin Mk4 ditched in the Channel during training, killing Lt Rhodri Leyshon.