Three dead in Royal Navy helicopter crash during training exercise in Devon

Three Royal Navy personnel have died in a helicopter crash during a training exercise in Devon.

Emergency services were called to Sourton Down, near Okehampton, at about 03:45 BST and a major incident was declared.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said "it is with deep sadness that we can confirm three members of the Royal Navy have died during a helicopter training exercise".

They added: "The families of the service personnel have been informed and have requested a period of grace before further details are released. Our thoughts and sympathies are with their families and friends at this sad time."

Head of the Navy, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, said in a statement: "I know this will come as a huge shock to all in our naval community, and my deepest condolences go out to the families, friends and loved ones impacted by this tragedy."

Images from the scene show the front of the aircraft, a Merlin Mk4 helicopter, had been destroyed.

Military helicopters often train in the area around north Dartmoor, which lies between the Royal Navy's air bases at Yeovilton in Somerset and Culdrose in Cornwall.

The scene of the crash is also close to Okehampton battle camp, a military facility on the edge of Dartmoor which has been used for training Merlin helicopter crews from the Commando Helicopter Force.

The BBC understands the helicopter was based at RNAS Yeovilton.

The Merlin helicopter is primarily used for anti-submarine warfare and can also be used for search and rescue, cargo transfers and maritime patrol, according to the Royal Navy's website.

The A386 between the A30 at Sourton Down and the A3079 Fowley Cross in Okehampton was closed at about 04:30.

The A386 reopened at about 13:30, but National Highways said the eastbound exit slip road of the A30 remained closed.

Staff at Sourton Cross Service Station, which is located near the scene, said the services were currently inaccessible.

At the scene, BBC reporter Richard Green said he had spoken to witnesses who said they heard noises which sounded like "troubled mechanics" as a helicopter flew over.

He said the scene was "devastating" with wreckage visible in a field.

"A witness I spoke to described it as sounding not right as it flew over his house and it almost took the roof of his house off," he said on BBC Radio Devon.

"He said it sounded like it was clearly in trouble and it sounded like it was mechanically failing."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told the Commons said: "This will be a deeply worrying time for the families and more information will be set out as soon as possible."

Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable James Vaughan said the emergency services, navy and Civil Aviation Authority attended the scene.

"We continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding that crash," Vaughan added.

Devon and Somerset Fire Service said seven engines from six stations, including one in Cornwall, had been dispatched to the scene.

"Several specialist resources were also deployed including an Environmental Protection Unit, Welfare Unit, Command Unit and an Urban Search and Rescue team," a fire service spokesperson said.