Royal Navy name three killed in Devon helicopter crash

The three members of the Royal Navy who died in a helicopter crash yesterday have been named and pictured.

Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson, Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher of 846 Naval Air Squadron, and Petty Officer Owen Green of 845 Naval Air Squadron were killed in the incident.

The crash occurred in the early hours of yesterday morning in a field near Sourton Down, in central Devon.

The Civil Aviation Authority said the incident would be investigated by the Defence Accident Investigation Branch.

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Commander of Joint Aviation Command, Air Vice-Marshal Lee Turner RAF, said: "The loss of three deeply capable and professional aviators during the tragic incident yesterday is the cause of profound sadness across the Joint Aviation Command and the Commando Helicopter Force in particular.

"They will be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with the families and all those affected."

Commanding Officer of Commando Helicopter Force (CHF), Colonel Will Penkman, said it was "a great tragedy".

He said: "We lost three members of the CHF family yesterday. Cherished members of the force with bright futures ahead of them, they were all highly committed professionals infused with the Junglie spirit of the force. Their loss leaves a terrible gap in our hearts and my thoughts go out to their family and friends who dearly loved them."

Defence Secretary John Healey MP, said: "The loss of Lieutenant Commander Gayson, Lieutenant Fisher and Petty Officer Green is truly devastating. They were dedicated and highly valued members of their squadrons who embodied the best of our Armed Forces.

"Their deaths are a profound loss to all who knew them. My thoughts are with their families, loved ones and those who served alongside side them at this deeply tragic time."

Sir Keir Starmer mentioned the helicopter crash during PMQs yesterday, saying it was a "deeply worrying time" for the families of the military personnel who were involved.

The King and Princess of Wales also released statements in honour of the three personnel.

Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, grew up in Virginia Water, Surrey, competing for her regional Netball team and represented England in Junior Lacrosse and Pole Vault.

She attended Imperial College London to study for a Master's in Geology, graduating in 2016, when she joined the Officer Training Corps and University Air Squadron, where she discovered a passion for flying.

Upon completing her MSci, she worked as a geologist at British Petroleum for two years prior to commissioning into the Royal Navy in 2019.

She represented Great Britain at the European Age Group Triathlon Championships in September 2021 whilst also completing Elementary Flying Training.

During a break in flying training, she attended the All Arms Commando Course, becoming Britain's only serving female Royal Navy Commando.

Following this achievement, she worked as a Watch Keeper on Op ISOTROPE, the UK military's response to the Channel Migrant Crisis, coordinating Naval assets to find, secure, and recover vessels, with the primary aim of preventing loss of life.

Her death has been described as a "huge loss" to the Royal Navy, Force, and Squadron, and she was said to have thoroughly enjoyed her initial flying training, with a particular interest in the tactical elements, which led her to want to fly the Merlin Mk4 and join 846 Naval Air Squadron in 2025.

The Ministry of Defence added that she had "been an inspiration to countless people, particularly young women, encouraging them to achieve their dreams and it is clear that she had a very bright future as a Naval Aviator ahead of her."

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