A Royal Navy helicopter crashed into a field in Devon on Wednesday morning.
Emergency services are currently responding to the incident, which took place in a field at Sourton Down, near Okehampton, Devon and Cornwall Police said.
The crash happened just before 4am, and an investigation is currently underway, a Royal Navy spokesperson said.
It is not known what caused the crash or the number and condition of people in the helicopter.
Sir Keir Starmer told MPs it was a “deeply worrying time” for the families of those involved in the crash.
“I’m aware of a Royal Navy helicopter crash this morning in Devon. This will be a deeply worrying time for the families, and more information will be set out as soon as possible,” he said.
Several road closures are in place around the A386 and A30 Sourton Cross slip and services area.
Police first received reports of the crash at around 4.30am. A force spokesperson said: “The Ministry of Defence have confirmed it was a Royal Navy helicopter.
“The incident is ongoing and we will share more updates as we have them.”
A BBC reporter on the ground described the scene as “devastating”.
Richard Green told BBC Radio Devon: “A witness I spoke to described it as sounding not right as it flew over his house, and it almost took the roof of his house off.
“He said it sounded like it was clearly in trouble, and it sounded like it was mechanically failing.”
The nearest Royal Navy base is HMNB Devonport in Plymouth and the Okehampton area lies between the Navy’s air bases 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 crews from the Commando Helicopter Force.
Devon and Cornwall Police advised drivers to seek alternative routes around the road closures. Travel monitoring services are reporting that traffic is “coping well” despite the road closures.
Inrix shared in a traffic bulletin: “A386 Bowerland Road Northbound closed due to police incident from A30 (Sourton Cross, Sourton Down) to A3079 Holsworthy Road (Fowley Cross). Traffic is coping well.”
The Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View said he was monitoring the situation.
Fred Thomas wrote on X: “I am aware of reports that a Royal Navy helicopter has crashed into a field at Sourton Cross. I understand several road closures are in place around the A386 and A30 Sourton Cross slip, whilst emergency services respond to the incident.
“It would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage until the Ministry of Defence release a statement, but I am monitoring the situation and will update back here.”
A Royal Navy spokesperson said: “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.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.independent.co.uk ’
