THREE crew members onboard a Royal Navy helicopter that crashed into a field in Devon have died, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
The incident happened at just before 4am today (June 3), near Sourton in Devon. Emergency services are at the scene of the crash, police said.
In a post on social media the Ministry of Defence 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, near Okehampton, in 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.”
READ MORE: Royal Navy helicopter crashes into Devon field
Images have emerged of the scene showing how the front of the aircraft, which appeared to be a Merlin helicopter, had been destroyed in the incident.
The head of the Navy, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, said in a statement: “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 and further updates will be provided in due course.”
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir Starmer said he was “aware of a Royal Navy helicopter crash this morning in Devon”.
“This will be a deeply worrying time for the families and more information will be set out as soon as possible,” he said.
Several road closures are in place around the A386 and A30 Sourton Cross slip and services area.
The area lies between the Royal Navy’s air bases at Yeovilton in Somerset and Culdrose in Cornwall.
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