A Royal Navy helicopter crashed into a field at Sourton Down, near Okehampton, just before 4 a. m.
on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Emergency services responded immediately, and a military investigation has been launched.
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Witness Describes Harrowing Scene
Local resident Eddie Amhof reported hearing the aircraft hovering over his home around 3 a. m.
before witnessing the incident unfold.
"I heard this horrendous noise from a helicopter, it sounded like he was going to pitch on the roof.
It was a terrible noise," Amhof said.
Amhof stated that the helicopter moved roughly half a mile away by the time he reached his window.
"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.
And I thought, that wasn't long enough for him to disappear out of ear-sight," he added.
The witness further detailed seeing visual confirmation of the impact from his property.
"At the same time as the engines went, there was an almighty flash of red which lit up the sky," Amhof noted.
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He then recalled hearing a final sound from the crash site moments later: "About five to six minutes after that there was a big bang, an explosion."
Military and Government Response
Images from the Devon scene indicate the aircraft is a Merlin helicopter, which typically operates with a four-person crew and can transport up to 24 troops.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the incident as a "deeply worrying time."
Military officials confirmed the location and timing of the accident but withheld further operational details.
"An incident occurred involving a Royal Navy helicopter just before 0400 on Wednesday 3 June near Sourton, Devon.
An investigation is underway and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time," said a Royal Navy spokesperson.
The regional police force announced that the A386 has been closed northbound from the A30 at Sourton Cross to the A3079 Holsworthy Road at Fowley Cross, with motorists advised to seek alternative routes.
"Several road closures are in place around the A386 and A30 Sourton Cross slip and services area. The incident is ongoing.
Our enquiries remain ongoing at the scene," the force said in a statement.
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The crash site sits near the Okehampton battle camp on the edge of Dartmoor, a military facility utilized for training Commando Helicopter Force Merlin crews, positioned between the Yeovilton and Culdrose Royal Navy air bases.
