Three members of the Royal Navy have died in a helicopter crash in Devon during a training exercise, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the incident at Sourton Down, near Okehampton, around 4am on Wednesday.

The head of the Navy, Gen 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.”

In a post on social media, the MoD added: “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, 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.”

Keir Starmer said the deaths of the three personnel were “utterly tragic”.

He said: “My thoughts are with the families, friends and loved ones of the three members of the Royal Navy who sadly lost their lives this morning. Thank you to the emergency services responding to this horrific incident.”

The defence secretary, John Healey, said: “I am devastated by the loss of three service personnel. They served with excellence and will be much missed. All our thoughts are with their families, friends and those they served with at this incredibly sad time. I thank the emergency services for their response.”

The king, who is head of the armed forces, has a long association with Royal Navy, serving with the force between 1971 and 1976. He is understood to be aware of the crash and the deaths of the three service personnel, and is expected to share his condolences privately with their families.

The area is between the Royal Navy’s airbases at Yeovilton in Somerset and Culdrose in Cornwall.

The scene of the crash is close to Okehampton battle camp, a military facility on the edge of Dartmoor which has been used for training Merlin helicopter crew from the commando helicopter force.

A witness told ITV News he had heard engines cut out before seeing an “almighty flash of red” when the helicopter crashed.

Eddie Amhof told the broadcaster: “I heard this horrendous noise from a helicopter, it sounded like he was going to pitch on the roof. It was a terrible noise. By the time I got out of bed, and got to the window, he’d moved away about half a mile. And all of a sudden, no noise at all. The engines was gone.”

He added: “At the same time as the engines went, there was an almighty flash of red which lit up the sky. About five to six minutes after that there was a big bang, an explosion.”

The Merlin helicopter is primarily used for anti-submarine warfare. The aircraft can also be used for search and rescue, cargo transfers and maritime patrol, according to the Royal Navy’s website.

In 2024, a Merlin Mk4 ditched in the Channel during a training exercise, killing Lt Rhodri Leyshon.