Princess Catherine has led tributes to three Royal Navy personnel killed in a helicopter crash during a training exercise in Devon.
Princess Catherine has led tributes to three Royal Navy personnel killed in a helicopter crash during a training exercise in Devon
The Princess of Wales, 44, responded after a Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed near Sourton Down, close to Okehampton, in the early hours of Wednesday (03.06.26) morning, saying she and Prince William were holding the victims’ families and friends “in our hearts” following the tragedy.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed three service personnel had died, with the crash occurring during a training exercise between key Royal Navy bases in the south-west of England.
An investigation is now underway, with emergency services, military personnel and specialist recovery teams remaining at the scene.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are understood to be planning to contact the families privately, while King Charles, 77, has also been informed and is expected to write to those affected.
In a message shared on X, Catherine expressed her condolences to those mourning the loss of the crew members.
She said: “I was so saddened to hear of the tragic loss of three service personnel from the Fleet Air Arm following a helicopter training exercise last night.
“William and I hold their families and friends in our hearts at this very difficult time.”
The tribute comes during a period in which Catherine has increasingly returned to public duties following her cancer treatment, while continuing to support military organisations and causes linked to the armed forces.
William, 43, a former RAF search and rescue pilot, has long maintained close links with military personnel and veterans through his royal work.
General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, confirmed the Navy deaths and paid tribute to the crew.
He said: “I am deeply saddened to share the news that three crew members onboard a Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopter have died after it crashed in the early hours of this morning near Sourton, Devon.
“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.
“I would like to thank Devon and Cornwall Police and the search and rescue teams who responded to the incident this morning. An investigation is under way.”
The Ministry of Defence later confirmed the families of the three personnel had been informed.
A spokesperson said: “It is with deep sadness that we can confirm three members of the Royal Navy have died during a helicopter training exercise on Wednesday, June 3 near Sourton, Devon.
“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.”
Defence Secretary John Healey described himself as “devastated” by the deaths, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addressed the incident during PM’s Questions.
He said he was “aware” of a Royal Navy helicopter crash, adding: “This will be a deeply worrying time for the families and more information will be set out as soon as possible.”
Witnesses living near the crash site described hearing unusual sounds before seeing a flash in the sky.
Eddie Amhof told ITV: “By the time I got out of bed and got to the window it sort of moved away a little bit, say half a mile, then all of a sudden no noise at all.
“The engines was gone and I thought to myself, well that wasn’t long enough for him to disappear out of ear-sight. So the next thing at the same time as the engines went on it, there was this almighty flash of red which lit up the sky.
“So I assumed from that, worked out obviously that he’d hit the ground. About five to six minutes after that, there was a big bang, an explosion.”
Police said officers were called at approximately 3.45am following reports of a military helicopter crash near Okehampton.
Road closures remained in place around the A30 and A386 throughout the day as investigators examined the scene.
The Merlin helicopter has served with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm since 2000 and has been used on operations including troop transport, maritime patrol and missions in Afghanistan.
The aircraft can carry three crew members and up to 24 troops.
