Three Royal Navy helicopter crash victims named as Healey pays tribute
Britain’s only serving female commando has been named amongst the three victims of a helicopter crash in Devon.
Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, died alongside 42-year-old Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson and 24-year-old Petty Officer Owen Green following the incident at Sourton Down, near Okehampton, just before 4am on Wednesday.
Defence Secretary John Healey described all three as “dedicated and highly valued members of their squadrons who embodied the best of our Armed Forces”.
The Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed into a field during a training exercise, leaving the aircraft completely destroyed.
Members of the UK armed forces have started paying tribute to the three killed in the crash.
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.”
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Lt Fisher, Lt Cdr Gayson and Petty Officer Green were based in Yeovil, Somerset – with the first two serving with 846 Naval Air Squadron and the latter with 845 Naval Air Squadron.
Also paying tribute to the trio, Commander of Joint Aviation Command, Air Vice-Marshal Lee Turner, 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.”
Lt Fisher joined the Royal Navy in 2019 and previously described it as a “massive privilege and a huge honour to serve my country”.
Her achievement of becoming the only serving British female commando was celebrated by the UK armed forces and Nato, with the MoD describing her as an “inspiration to countless people”.
She posted to her thousands of followers on social media about some of her achievements, including stepping into the cockpit of a Merlin helicopter for the first time in August last year.
Lt Cdr Gayson became a member of the Royal Navy in 2008 and was promoted to the role of Lieutenant Commander in 2020.
The MoD said his leadership was “exemplary” and labelled him the “utmost professional”.
Petty Officer Green joined the Royal Navy in 2022 and picked up a high number of flying hours during missions in demanding Arctic conditions.
The MoD said he had become one of his squadron’s most experienced operators in extreme environments, adding that he made a “significant contribution to squadron capability and mission success”.
A witness to the crash described the helicopter flying very low over his home, and then moving away before hearing the engines cut and the flash of an explosion.
Eddie Amhof, 81, who lives nearby, told the Press Association: “I noticed a horrendous noise from a helicopter.
“He seemed to be like right above the property and it was horrendous. It was so loud it actually shook things in the bedroom.
“The noise was exceptional. It was right over the top of the property, and then eventually did veer off towards the services area.
“But he was still very loud and then all of a sudden there was no sound at all.
“At the same time as the sound disappearing, there was a big red flash, which lit up the sky.”
Mr Amhof said from the helicopter flying over his home to seeing the flash was no more than a couple of minutes.
He continued: “I was watching the clock in the bedroom and it was about 3.12am – after the red was all in the sky – there was a huge bang.
“I thought to myself he’s gone down, I should imagine he’s caught fire, and that’s the fuel tanks blown.”
Accident investigators and emergency personnel remain at the crash scene.
Floral tributes have been left near to a cordon close to the field where the helicopter came down.
One card read: “Our deepest condolences to our families and friends. Thank you for your service.”
Published: by Radio NewsHub