Royal Navy helicopter crashes into field in Devon

Emergency services at scene of incident at Sourton Down, near Okehampton

A Royal Navy helicopter has crashed into a field in Devon, police have said.

Emergency services are at the scene of the incident at Sourton Down, near Okehampton. Several road closures are in place around the A386 and A30 Sourton Cross slip and services area.

A Devon and Cornwall police spokesperson said: “The incident is ongoing and we will share more updates as we have them. The Ministry of Defence have confirmed it was a Royal Navy helicopter.”

There are a number of naval bases near the crash site, which is on the edge of Dartmoor. HMNB Devonport in Plymouth, on the south-western edge of Dartmoor, is the largest naval base in western Europe. Other nearby bases include RM Tamar, CTCRM Lympstone and BRNC Dartmouth.

It is not known what type of helicopter was involved in the crash but the two primary helicopter types used by the Royal Navy are the Merlin and the Wildcat.

Devon and Cornwall police said all further enquiries should be directed to the Ministry of Defence. In a brief statement, the MoD said: “Emergency services are at the scene after a crash involving a helicopter in a field at Sourton Down.

“Several road closures are in place around the A386 and A30 Sourton Cross slip and services area. The incident is ongoing and we will share more updates as we have them.”