{"id":2443058,"date":"2026-06-03T12:41:58","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T12:41:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2443058"},"modified":"2026-06-03T12:41:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T12:41:58","slug":"devon-helicopter-crash-police-shut-major-roads-after-royal-navy-aircraft-crashes-in-field","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/devon-helicopter-crash-police-shut-major-roads-after-royal-navy-aircraft-crashes-in-field\/","title":{"rendered":"Devon helicopter crash: Police shut major roads after Royal Navy aircraft crashes in field"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"main\">\n<div class=\"hydrate-root sc-1ihz57b-0\" data-component=\"Newsletter\" data-loading=\"lazy\" data-theme-name=\"independent\">\n<div data-theme-wrapper=\"independent\" style=\"display:contents\">\n<aside class=\"sc-y4bm30-0 jwWhkK newsletter-component sc-1ge0fwe-0\" data-newsletter-key=\"receiveMorningHeadlines\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-2 kcLSBk\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-1 inRDZn\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-3\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-4 hfveGa\">\n<p><h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-6 fvoxRM cLEJmn\">Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-8 fvoxRM iTZFOX\">Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-7 fvoxRM iGYpOF\">Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p><svg class=\"sc-eaj12q-0 hKcUSR sc-culv3z-0 eifaJK sc-1ix0cah-0 PYnPb sc-y4bm30-10 fUEDPX\"><use href=\"#600f53465147d717\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-2 kcLSBk sc-y4bm30-9 iQYNfz\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletters\/morningHeadlines1_1.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Morning Headlines\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>A <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/royal-navy\">Royal Navy<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/helicopter\">helicopter<\/a> crashed into a field in <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/devon\">Devon <\/a>on Wednesday morning. <\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/emergency-services\">Emergency services<\/a> are currently responding to the incident, which took place in a field at Sourton Down, near Okehampton, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/devon-and-cornwall-police\">Devon and Cornwall Police<\/a> said. <\/p>\n<p>The crash happened just before 4am, and an investigation is currently underway, a Royal Navy spokesperson said.<\/p>\n<p>It is not known what caused the crash or the number and condition of people in the helicopter.<\/p>\n<p>Sir Keir Starmer told MPs it was a \u201cdeeply worrying time\u201d for the families of those involved in the crash. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Several road closures are in place around the A386 and A30 Sourton Cross slip and services area.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"3\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 eDWWCo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/06\/03\/11\/45\/80-PER-USE-PLEASE-FLAG-REUSE-TO-PIC-DESK.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/06\/03\/11\/45\/80-PER-USE-PLEASE-FLAG-REUSE-TO-PIC-DESK.jpeg?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/06\/03\/11\/45\/80-PER-USE-PLEASE-FLAG-REUSE-TO-PIC-DESK.jpeg?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A picture of the wreckage shows debris strewn across the field where the helicopter crashed\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">A picture of the wreckage shows debris strewn across the field where the helicopter crashed<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->FPS Images<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Police first received reports of the crash at around 4.30am. A force spokesperson said: \u201cThe Ministry of Defence have confirmed it was a Royal Navy helicopter.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe incident is ongoing and we will share more updates as we have them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A BBC reporter on the ground described the scene as \u201cdevastating\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>Richard Green told BBC Radio Devon: \u201cA 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.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe said it sounded like it was clearly in trouble, and it sounded like it was mechanically failing.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"3\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 bxKhZd\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/06\/03\/9\/24\/The-helicopter-crashed-into-a-field-near-Sourton-Down-near-Okehampton.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/06\/03\/9\/24\/The-helicopter-crashed-into-a-field-near-Sourton-Down-near-Okehampton.png?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/06\/03\/9\/24\/The-helicopter-crashed-into-a-field-near-Sourton-Down-near-Okehampton.png?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The helicopter crashed into a field near Sourton Down, near Okehampton\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">The helicopter crashed into a field near Sourton Down, near Okehampton<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Google Mpas<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The nearest Royal Navy base is HMNB Devonport in Plymouth and the Okehampton area lies between the Navy\u2019s air bases at Yeovilton in Somerset and Culdrose in Cornwall. <\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Devon and Cornwall Police advised drivers to seek alternative routes around the road closures. Travel monitoring services are reporting that traffic is \u201ccoping well\u201d despite the road closures. <\/p>\n<p>Inrix shared in a traffic bulletin: \u201cA386 Bowerland Road Northbound closed due to police incident from A30 (Sourton Cross, Sourton Down) to A3079 Holsworthy Road (Fowley Cross). Traffic is coping well.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"3\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 gDdgUc\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/06\/03\/9\/04\/Police-said-the-crash-took-place-at-a-field-near-Okehampton.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/06\/03\/9\/04\/Police-said-the-crash-took-place-at-a-field-near-Okehampton.png?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/06\/03\/9\/04\/Police-said-the-crash-took-place-at-a-field-near-Okehampton.png?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Several roads have been closed around the site of the crash\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">Several roads have been closed around the site of the crash<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Google Maps<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View said he was monitoring the situation.<\/p>\n<p>Fred Thomas wrote on X: \u201cI 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. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A Royal Navy spokesperson said: \u201cAn 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.independent.co.uk \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2443059,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2443058","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-royalty"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Devon-helicopter-crash-Police-shut-major-roads-after-Royal-Navy.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2443058","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2443058"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2443058\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2443060,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2443058\/revisions\/2443060"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2443059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2443058"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2443058"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2443058"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}