News · 3 June 2026

Three Royal Navy staff die in Devon crash

U.S. Marines 3MAW by 1st Lt. Zachary Bodner via Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)

A helicopter accident during a training flight in Devon resulted in the deaths of three Royal Navy service members. Emergency services rushed to Sourton Down, close to Okehampton, around 03:45 BST on Wednesday, declaring a major incident. The Merlin Mk4 helicopter, understood to be based at RNAS Yeovilton, had its front destroyed in the crash.

By BriefTea Editorial · 3 June 2026 at 14:33

Reported by BBC · How we write briefs