On the early hours of June 4, 2026, a Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed in a field near Sourton Down, Devon, killing Lieutenant Lily‑Mae Fisher, 31, Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson, 42, and Petty Officer Owen Green, 24. Fisher was the only woman serving as a Royal Navy commando, a disticntion earned after completing the demanding All Arms Commando Course.

Merlin Mk4 crash claims three crew members near Okehampton

The aircraft, part of 846 Naval Air Squadron, was conducting a training exercise when witnesses reported it flying at a very low altitude before plummeting and exploding just before 4 a.m. Aerial images showed debris scattered across the grass at Sourton Cross, close to a Travelodge hotel and nearby homes, which the crew reportedly avoided, earning them local praise as "heroes."

Lieutenant Lily‑Mae Fisher’s unique path to becoming Britain’s only female Navy commando

Fisher, a Surrey native and Imperial College geology graduate, joined the University Army Officer Training Corps in 2012 and later the University Air Squadron . After a stint as a BP exploration geologist, she accepted a Royal Navy commission in 2019 , completed the 16‑week All Arms Commando Course, and earned the title of the only serving female commando in the UK.. According to the Ministry of Defence, her achievement was celebrated by NATO and described as an "inspiration to countlless people."

Service records of Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson and Petty Officer Owen Green

Gayson, a former aerospace engineering master’s graduate from the University of Bath, joined the Navy in 2008 and rose to Lieutenant Commander in 2020, serving with 846 Squadron. The MoD called his leadership "exemplary" and "utmost professional ." Green enlisted in January 2022, trained at HMS Raleigh, and served with 845 Squadron, gaining extensive Arctic flying experience that the MoD said made him a "significant contribution to squadron capability."

Official response and community tribute

Defence Secretary John Healey said the three were "dedicated and highly valued members of their squadrons who embodied the best of our Armed Forces." Residents near the crash site gathered to honour the crew,noting how the pilots steered the aircraft away from homes and a nearby hotel, potentially preventing further casualties.

Who will investigate the Merlin crash?

Investigators from the Royal Navy and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch arrived on Thursday morning to examine the wreckage and retrieve flight data. As of now, the cause remains unconfirmed, and officials have not released details about weather conditions or mechanical status at the time of the crash. The families have asked for privaacy while the inquiry proceeds.