Three Royal Navy crew named after helicopter crash in Devon

Three members of the Royal Navy who died in a helicopter crash in Devon have been named.

The crew were Lt Cmdr Chris Gayson, 42, Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, and Petty Officer Owen Green, 24, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed.

They died on board a Merlin Mk4 helicopter that crashed during a training exercise at about 03:45 BST on Wednesday near Okehampton. The Civil Aviation Authority said the incident would be investigated by the Defence Accident Investigation Branch.

Tributes have come from the Princess of Wales, in her role as Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, as well as head of the navy General Sir Gwyn Jenkins and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Commander of Joint Aviation Command, Air Vice-Marshal Lee Turner RAF, said: "The loss of three deeply capable and professional aviators during the tragic incident yesterday is the cause of profound sadness across the Joint Aviation Command and the Commando Helicopter Force in particular.

"They will be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with the families and all those affected."

Commanding Officer of Commando Helicopter Force (CHF), Colonel Will Penkman, said it was "a great tragedy".

"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.

"Their loss leaves a terrible gap in our hearts and my thoughts go out to their family and friends who dearly loved them."

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