A Royal Navy Merlin helicopter has crashed in a field near Sourton, close to Okehampton in Devon, in the early hours of 3 June 2026, the UK Defence Journal understands.
The Ministry of Defence said the incident happened just before 4am, with emergency services on the scene from around 4.30am.
“An incident occurred involving a Royal Navy helicopter just before 4am on Wednesday, June 3 near Sourton, Devon,” a Royal Navy spokesperson said. “An investigation is underway and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
Devon and Cornwall Police said multiple crews were in the area and that several road closures were in place around the A386 and the A30 Sourton Cross slip road and services. The force described the incident as ongoing and advised drivers to seek alternative routes, while travel monitoring services reported that traffic was coping well despite the closures. People living nearby were reported to have heard a loud bang.
Fred Thomas, the local Member of Parliament, said he was aware of reports of the incident and of the road closures while emergency services responded, adding that it would not be appropriate to comment further until the Ministry of Defence released more information.
I am aware of reports of a Royal Navy helicopter incident.
I understand several road closures are in place around the A386 and A30 Sourton Cross slip, whilst emergency services respond.
It would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage until the MOD release a…
— Fred Thomas MP (@FredThomasUK) June 3, 2026
Neither the Navy nor the police have commented on whether anyone was aboard the aircraft or on any casualties, and the cause of the crash has not been established. The MoD said it would be inappropriate to comment further while the investigation was under way.
The Merlin is the Royal Navy’s principal helicopter, operated in two main forms: the Merlin Mk2, flown from RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall in the anti-submarine and airborne surveillance roles, and the Merlin Mk4, a battlefield transport flown by the Commando Helicopter Force from RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset.
The three-engined aircraft has generally held a good safety record over its service life.
Images of the wreckage circulating on Twitter appear to show a total loss of the aircraft. As in, in pieces.
Yes, seen on LBC too. Confetti. Poor boys, ne obliviscaris
Crew🤞
Yes, photos on SM countless pieces.
I’m hoping that as it all looks pretty localised rather than a Chinook Mull scenario with debris widely scattered means it came in slow and hopefully crew and pax got out.
Doesn’t look good, but hoping for a miracle.
Thoughts with all those affected.
Problem with small fleets, helicopters crash and need replacements.
It’s starting to look like we may replace Merlin with new Merlins though which I think would be a great call. There is still nothing in the world that can touch it.
Agreed.
But when was the last time HMG paced attrition replacement orders for anything beyond munitions and missiles?
I remember additional Tornado being ordered. A couple of Merlin? Cannot see it.
We didn’t spring for an additional F-35B to replace the 2021 loss, and I don’t think they’re including an additional one in the planned order.
I know.
This sort of small attrition order thing has been on my radar for a long time, simply because I remember reading many times of Japan doing such a thing, Fiscal Year — 2 of this, 3 of that.
Incremental changes.
I can think of our 4 C17 leased then doubled and bought, extra Shadow which never arrived.
But not orders for attrition loses.
A mention via the Norwegian press that, through the City Class purchase and integration, that they would buy some more AW101s for their Frigates and it’s also to plug the issue with the NH90 failings and the Seahawks they did purchase are for their coast guard, not their Navy.
Hoping that someone in the MoD might just tack on 2 more helos to that order from our side, if it is a joint order.
“replace Merlin with new Merlins” – Sorry Jim, what’ve I missed?
The photos don’t look good. I’m praying everyone got out safely. Another Merlin lost however and the fleet shrinks further. Meanwhile the government’s calls to rearm still seem to be all bark and no bite.
There was a long ago mention via the Norwegian press that, through the City Class purchase and owing to integration, that they would buy some more AW101s for their Frigates and it’s also to plug the issue with the NH90 failings and the Seahawks they did purchase are for their coast guard, not their Navy.
Hoping that someone in the MoD might just tack on 2 more helos to that order from our side, if it is a joint order.
… So the photos are out there and the MOD has yet to comment. Might they want to hurry up with a statement, even if to say that the Crew aren’t in the wreck, so at the very least UK papers might not air their bodies final resting place.
Families must be informed first.
I think that the fact they haven’t commented means families have to be informed sadly