A LIEUTENANT Commander from Somerset has been named as one of the people who tragically lost their lives in the helicopter crash yesterday morning (June 3).
Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson, 42, from Somerset was killed in the crash, which happened in Sourton, near Okehampton in Devon.
The Ministry of Defence said: "Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson, 42, joined the Royal Navy as a Warfare (Pilot) Officer in 2008 after completing a Master's in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bath and working briefly as an accountant with Deloitte.
"He gained his wings in 2012, served operationally with 845 Naval Air Squadron, later became CHF Air Safety Officer, and subsequently instructed helicopter pilots across the Forces. He was selected to command Operational Conversion Flight at 846 Naval Air Squadron in July 2025.
"An utmost professional, his leadership of the Operational Conversion Flight was exemplary."
Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher, 31 from Surrey and Petty Officer Owen Green, 24, from Hampshire, also lost their lives in the incident.
Lt. Fisher was Britain's only female Royal Navy commando.
The Royal Navy said: "All three dedicated their lives to serving the Royal Navy and their country.
"Our thoughts remain with their families, friends and colleagues and we continue to demand their privacy is respected at this time.
"We also ask anyone in the vicinity of the crash site to understand the poignancy of this, not to share footage and hand any footage to the relevant investigating authority."
Several road closures were in place around the A386 and A30 Sourton Cross slip and services area yesterday.
The area lies between the Royal Navy’s air bases at Yeovilton in Somerset and Culdrose in Cornwall.
Defence Secretary John Healey described all three as “dedicated and highly valued members of their squadrons who embodied the best of our Armed Forces”.
The Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed into a field during a training exercise, leaving the aircraft completely destroyed.
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