Three British navy personnel die in helicopter crash in England
The aircraft came down around 4:00am (03:00 GMT) on Wednesday near the village of Sourton, a Royal Navy spokesperson said.
Wednesday June 3, 2026
Three British naval crew members have died after a helicopter crashed in a field in northwestern England, the UK Ministry of Defence said, with wreckage pictured at Sourton Down in Devon [Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images]
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A Royal Navy helicopter has crashed during a training exercise in Devon, leaving three British naval crew dead, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The aircraft came down around 4:00am (03:00 GMT) on Wednesday near the village of Sourton, a Royal Navy spokesperson said.
The Ministry of Defence announced the deaths in a social media post, saying it was done with “deep sadness.” “Our thoughts and sympathies are with their families and friends at this sad time,” the ministry said.
Sky News said police were at the scene and quoted a police spokesperson as saying, “The incident is ongoing, and we will share more updates as we have them.”
The navy’s head, General Gwyn Jenkin, said an investigation has begun.
Authorities have released only limited details about the circumstances of the early-morning crash. The Ministry of Defence said the families of those killed had asked for a “period of grace” before more information is made public.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was being kept updated on the incident. “This will be a deeply worrying time for the families and more information will be set out as soon as possible,” Sky News quoted him as saying.
British media reported that several naval bases are located near the crash site, including HMNB Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe.
