Royal Navy crew killed in helicopter crash named

Three members of the Royal Navy who died in a helicopter crash during a training exercise have been named.

The crew were Lt Cdr Chris Gayson, 42, Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, who was Britain's only female Royal Navy commando, and Petty Officer Owen Green, 24, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed. All three were based at RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset.

Their families all paid tribute, while the military described them as "deeply capable and professional aviators" and "cherished members" of the Commando Helicopter Force.

Gayson, Fisher and Green died on board a Merlin Mk4 helicopter that crashed at about 03:45 BST on Wednesday near Okehampton, Devon.

Gayson's family said he was "an extremely kind and gentle family man who loved his entire family dearly".

The family of Fisher said she was an "an extraordinary woman", while Green's family said he was a "caring and devoted son, brother, grandson, and partner to Iona, whom he loved and cherished".

The MoD said Fisher was on her final assessment of flying training when she was "tragically killed". It said she was due to be awarded her Pilot's Wings this month.

In a tribute, her family said: "To say she was full of life is an understatement: she took every opportunity to push her limits, achieve more, and bring out the best in those around her.

"We are so proud of everything she accomplished. She has left an immeasurable hole in our lives, and in all the lives she has touched and inspired. The family kindly ask for time and space at this difficult time."

The MoD said she had a background representing England and Great Britain in a number of different sports. After graduating from Imperial College London, she joined the Royal Navy in 2019.

During a break in her flying training, she became Britain's only serving female Royal Navy Commando and worked as part of the UK military's response to the Channel migrant crisis, helping to find and recover boats to prevent loss of life, it said.

In an interview with the BBC after becoming the UK's only serving female Royal Navy commando, Fisher said it was a "real honour" to wear the green beret signalling the completion of the gruelling training programme.

"It was 'you earn your green beret the same as everybody else, you carry the same kit as everybody else, you pass the test the same as everybody else'," she said.

Gayson's family said he was "passionate about and dedicated to his job in the Royal Navy".

During his career, he instructed helicopter pilots of all three armed services.

The MoD said he joined the Royal Navy as a Warfare (Pilot) Officer in September 2