Devon helicopter crash: Three Royal Navy service members who died in training exercise named
The names of three Royal Navy members who died when their helicopter crashed into a field in Devon on Wednesday have been revealed.
Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, Britain’s only female commando, died along with Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson, 42, and Petty Officer Owen Green, 24, after the incident at Sourton Down, near Okehampton, just before 4am on Wednesday.
Defense Secretary John Healey described all three as “dedicated and highly valued members of their squadrons who embody the best of our Armed Forces.”
The Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed into terrain during a training exercise and the aircraft was completely destroyed.
Members of the UK armed forces have begun organizing a memorial service for the three people who died in the crash.
Commando Helicopter Force Commander Colonel Will Penkman said: “It is a tragedy that we lost three members of the CHF family yesterday.
“Dear members of the organization with a bright future ahead of them, they were all extremely determined professionals infused with the Junglie spirit of the organization.
“Their loss leaves a terrible hole in our hearts and I share my thoughts with their family and friends who loved them so much.”
Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, of Yeovil, Somerset, had been a member of the Royal Navy since May 2019 before her death in Wednesday’s incident.
She described it as “a great privilege and a great honour to serve my country”, with her achievement as the only British female Royal Navy commando to be praised by NATO.
As well as helicopter flight training, Lieutenant Fisher represented Great Britain at the European Age Group Triathlon Championships in 2021.
After taking on a supporting role in a specialist marine unit, she successfully completed the 16-week All Weapons Commando Course, which few women have ever completed.
Completing the course at the Royal Marines Commando Training Center meant she became Britain’s only female commando serving in the Royal Navy.
Speaking last year, Lieutenant Fisher said: “The body achieves what the mind believes. I like to test myself and constantly challenge myself.”
He added: “If one day the call comes to go to war, you know it is my responsibility and my duty to serve in the armed forces, whether in peacetime or in wartime.”
He shared some of his achievements on social media, including stepping into the cockpit of a Merlin helicopter for the first time in August last year.
Lieutenant Fisher also shared that outside of his career in the military, he also participates in ultramarathons at events around the world.
He also appeared as a contestant on ITV programmes. Take Me Out And Ninja Warrior UK.
