A Royal Navy helicopter crashed into a field in Devon in the early hours of this morning with residents reporting a ‘loud explosion’ that shook their windows.
Dramatic photographs showed debris scattered across a field at the scene at Sourton Down near Okehampton after emergency services were called at about 4am.
Devon and Cornwall Police officers rushed to the scene along with the fire service but it was unclear how many passengers were on board and if any were injured.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told MPs today that it was a ‘deeply worrying time’ for the families of those involved. The cause of the incident remained unknown.
At Prime Minister’s Questions this afternoon, Sir Keir said he was ‘aware of a Royal Navy helicopter crash this morning in Devon’, adding: ‘This will be a deeply worrying time for the families and more information will be set out as soon as possible.’
The site of the crash – which shut several roads including the A30 – is between the Royal Navy’s air bases at Yeovilton in Somerset and Culdrose in Cornwall.
It is also close to Okehampton battle camp, a military facility on the edge of Dartmoor used for training Merlin helicopter crews from the Commando Helicopter Force.
Residents who live nearby claimed to have heard a ‘loud explosion’ at about 3.15am. One local told the Daily Mail: ‘Two helicopters last night flew so close to my house that the windows shook and my children were woken by it.
‘Others in the village were also disturbed by it. We semi-regularly have these flights but nothing has been as close or loud or dangerous feeling as last night.’
A drone photo shows the scene of the Royal Navy helicopter crash at Sourton Cross today
Dramatic photographs show debris scattered across the field at the scene at Sourton Down
The scene on the A30 today which is closed near Okehampton in Devon after the crash
Emergency services are on the scene at Sourton Down near Okehampton after the incident
Road closures are in place around the A386 and A30 Sourton Cross slip and services area
A file photograph of Merlin helicopter, a model which has a generally good safety record
Another claimed to have heard a chopper ‘flying very low’. Several road closures were in place around the A386 and A30 Sourton Cross slip and services area.
The Ministry of Defence did not name the helicopter type, but drone pictures taken at the scene showed the distinctive tail rotor of a Merlin.
The model has a generally good safety record, although in 2024 a Merlin Mk4 ditched while operating from HMS Queen Elizabeth off Dorset with the loss of the pilot.
Merlins have served with the Navy since 2000 and are operated by the Fleet Air Arm, the Navy’s flying part. They are used in anti-submarine and troop-carrying missions.
A Merlin usually flies with a crew of three or four, depending on the mission, and the type of helicopter has seen active service in Afghanistan.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: ‘Emergency services are at the scene after a crash involving a helicopter in a field at Sourton Down. Several road closures are in place around the A386 and A30 Sourton Cross slip and services area.
‘The incident is ongoing and we will share more updates as we have them. The Ministry of Defence have confirmed it was a Royal Navy helicopter.’
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: ‘An incident occurred involving a Royal Navy helicopter just before 4am on Wednesday near Sourton, Devon. An investigation is underway and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.’
And a Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service statement said: ‘Seven fire appliances from six stations, including one from Cornwall, were mobilised to an incident involving a military helicopter at Sourton Down in the early hours of this morning.
‘Crews worked to extinguish the fire in the field adjacent to the A30 and supported the wider multi-agency response. Several specialist resources were also deployed, including an Environmental Protection Unit, Welfare Unit, Command Unit and an Urban Search and Rescue team. One appliance remains at the scene.’
The Mail has also contacted South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust for a statement on the incident.
