THREE members of the Royal Navy who died after a helicopter turned into a “fireball” before crashing to the ground have been pictured.
The aircraft was flying over Sourton, in Devon, in the early hours yesterday morning when it caught fire.
The Royal Navy confirmed that three service personnel died after the chopper fell from the sky at around 4am.
The trio have since been named as Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson, 42, 31-year-old Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher of 846 Naval Air Squadron and Petty Officer Owen Green, 24, of 845 Naval Air Squadron.
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.”
Royal Navy pilot, Lily-Mae Fisher, who has been identified as one of those who died in the tragedy, once appeared on TV dating show Take Me Out.
The pilot said being on the hit ITV1 dating show, hosted by Paddy McGuinness, over ten years ago was “one of the most surreal five days of my life.”
Lily-Mae passed the gruelling All Arms Commando course that culminated in a 30-mile speed march with weapons and kit on Dartmoor in 2024.
At the time she was one of just seven women to complete the course in seven years.
Responding to the fatal helicopter crash yesterday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it was “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.”
Eyewitness Louise, 32, was driving home from her night shift along the A30 when she witnessed the disaster.
MOD pays tribute to the three tragic Royal Navy troops
Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson
Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson, 42, joined the RN as a Warfare (Pilot) Officer in Sep 2008 after studying for a Masters in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bath and a brief spell as an accountant with Deloitte.
Selected for “Junglie” he gained his wings in Oct 2012 and served with 845 NAS flying the Sea King Mk4, which included flying in Norway, Jordan, Afghanistan and Embarked Operations. In 2015, he moved out of the cockpit to assume the role of CHF Air Safety Officer responsible for the whole force Air Safety practices and procedures, including risk management, culture and assurance. Returning to the cockpit in May 17, he attended the Qualified Helicopter Instructors course at RAF Shawbury. He remained at Shawbury on completion and instructed ab-initio helicopter pilots of all three Armed Services. Selected for promotion to Lieutenant Commander in 2020 he assumed the role of Senior Pilot of Sixty Sqn, where he delivered advanced helicopter training to RAF and Commando Helicopter Force Support Helicopter pilots and upgraded to an ‘A categorisation’ instructor. On completion in Mar 2023, he assumed the role of S02 Collective Training within the Joint Aviation Command. Responible for the translation of Defence Policy into Collective Training Objectives and Assurance of 1 Aviation Brigade Combat Team and Aviation Task Forces. The Air Appointments Selection Board selected him to convert on to the Commando Merlin helicopter before assuming the position of Operational Conversion Flight Commander on 846 NAS in Jul 25.
An utmost professional, his leadership of the Operational Conversion Flight was exemplary, and his loss is a huge blow to the Royal Navy, Force, and Squadron.
Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher
Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, grew up in Virginia Water, Surrey. She attended Imperial College London to study for a Masters in Geology, graduating in 2016. Sporty and active from a young age, she competed for her regional Netball team, and represented England in Junior Lacrosse and Pole Vault. At university she joined the Officer Training Corps and University Air Squadron where she discovered a passion for flying.
On completion of her MSci, she became a geologist for British Petroleum for 2 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. Her team were responsible for coordinating Naval assets to find, secure and recover vessels with the primary aim of preventing loss of life. She thoroughly enjoyed her initial flying training, with a particular interest in the tactical elements. This affirmed her want to fly the Merlin Mk4, joining 846 Naval Air Squadron in 2025.
Her death is a huge loss to the Royal Navy, Force, and Squadron. She has 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.
Petty Officer Owen Green
Petty Officer Owen Green, 24, joined the Royal Navy in January 2022, beginning initial training at HMS Raleigh.
He demonstrated a consistently high level of professional competence and dedication throughout his career as an Aircrewman with 845 Naval Air Squadron. Following initial training at HMS Raleigh and advanced aircrew courses at RNAS Yeovilton, RAF Shawbury, and RNAS Culdrose, he rapidly progressed through the ranks, achieving Leading Hand status in September 2025 before achieving his Aircrewman Wings in June 2025. He successfully completed his embarked aviation qualification aboard HNLMS Johan De Witt in October 2025, reflecting his operational readiness and adaptability in multinational environments. He played a key role in major exercises such as Hades Warrior and Wyvern Tor 26, contributing to force tactical validation and operational preparedness. His deployment on Operation Clockwork 26 was particularly notable; he accumulated the highest-flying hours among his peers in demanding Arctic conditions, earning his Arctic environmental qualification and establishing himself as one of the squadron’s most experienced operators in extreme environments.
Throughout his service, he consistently demonstrated technical proficiency, operational effectiveness, and a commitment to continuous professional development, making a significant contribution to squadron capability and mission success.
She said: “I saw a ball of fire in the sky.
“It crashed into the field and then exploded. It was terrifying. I don’t think anyone could have survived that.
“It all happened so quickly.”
The helicopter – an AgustaWestland Merlin – can carry up to three crew and 24 fully laden troops.
It is not the first time a Merlin helicopter has crashed, with the most recent tragedy occurring less than two years ago.
A pilot tragically died after a chopper operating from the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth ditched into the sea off Dorset in September 2024.
Yesterday’s tragedy occurred just west of Dartmoor and nearby Okehampton Battle Camp.
The military installation is used extensively to train Royal Marine commandos and for navigation training for helicopter pilots.
Emergency services were scrambled to the crash site and closed several roads in the surrounding area including Sourton Services.
Shocking video filmed in the aftermath of today’s crash showed the helicopter burning on the ground while fire crews tackled the blaze.
Pictures taken later showed the smouldering blackened remains of the downed chopper.
Part of the tailfin and rotor, a main rotor blade, and a wheel could be seen among the debris.
Locals said they heard several helicopters in the area on the night of the crash, with some saying they later heard an explosion.
The Royal Navy has two air bases close to Devon – RNAS Culdrose near Helston, Cornwall, and RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset – which houses more than 100 aircraft.
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, Colonel Will Penkman, said: “It is a tragedy that 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.”
