← All storiesGeneralDeveloping story

Britain’s only female naval commando among victims of Devon helicopter crash

Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, Lt Cmdr Chris Gayson and Petty Officer Owen Green died during Royal Navy training exercise Britain’s only serving female naval commando has been named as one of the three people who died in a helicopter crash during a military training exercise in Devon on Wednesday. The victims have been named by the Ministry of Defence as Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, Lt Cdr Chris Gayson, 42, and PO Owen Green, 24. John Healey, the defence secretary, described all three as “dedicated and highly valued members of their squadrons who embodied the best of our armed forces”. Their families have been informed and an investigation is under way into the cause of the crash, which occurred when the Mk4 helicopter went down in a field in Sourton Down, near Okehampton, around 4am on Wednesday. Conditions at the time were said to be very poor, with strong winds, heavy rain and low visibility. The aircraft was completely destroyed in the crash. Col Will Penkman, the commanding officer of the commando helicopter force, 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 commit

4
updates in timeline
2
distinct sources
4 days
story span
Jun 8, 2026
latest update

Jun 4, 2026 → Jun 8, 2026

LATEST DEVELOPMENT
Jun 8, 2026·BBCT2 · Outlet report
Book of condolence opens for helicopter crew killed in Devon

A book of condolence has opened for three members of the Royal Navy who died in a helicopter crash. Lt Cdr Chris Gayson, 42, Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, and Petty Officer Owen Green, 24, died in the crash in Sourton, near Okehampton, Devon on…

Read original at BBC →
ACTIVITY · UPDATES PER MONTH
Jun 26

4 updates from 2 sources over 4 days.

Showing 4 of 4 updates

Timeline (4 updates)

June 2026

4 updates
Jun 8, 2026·BBCT2 · Outlet reportLATEST
Book of condolence opens for helicopter crew killed in Devon

A book of condolence has opened for three members of the Royal Navy who died in a helicopter crash. Lt Cdr Chris Gayson, 42, Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, and Petty Officer Owen Green, 24, died in the crash in Sourton, near…

Read original at BBC →
Jun 5, 2026·BBCT2 · Outlet reportKEY MOMENT
King 'profoundly shocked' by Devon Royal Navy helicopter deaths

The King said he was "profoundly shocked" by the deaths of three Royal Navy personnel in a helicopter training crash. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed Lt Cdr Chris Gayson, 42, Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, and Petty…

Read original at BBC →
Jun 4, 2026·BBCT2 · Outlet reportKEY MOMENT
Royal Navy air crew killed in Devon 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 serving female Royal Navy…

Read original at BBC →
Jun 4, 2026·The GuardianT2 · Outlet reportOPENING
Britain’s only female naval commando among victims of Devon helicopter crash

Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, Lt Cmdr Chris Gayson and Petty Officer Owen Green died during Royal Navy training exercise Britain’s only serving female naval commando has been named as one of the three people who died in a…

Read original at The Guardian →

Sources & evidence (4)

What this story stands on. Tier 0 is a primary record or the subject's own words; higher tiers must be attributed, never stated as bare fact.

T2 · Outlet report× 4
COVERAGE BY SOURCE
BBC 3The Guardian 1
STRONGEST EVIDENCE
T2 · Outlet reportBBCJun 8, 2026

A book of condolence has opened for three members of the Royal Navy who died in a helicopter crash. Lt Cdr Chris Gayson, 42, Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, and Petty Officer Owen Green, 24, died in the crash in Sourton, near Okehampton, Devon on…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportBBCJun 5, 2026

The King said he was "profoundly shocked" by the deaths of three Royal Navy personnel in a helicopter training crash. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed Lt Cdr Chris Gayson, 42, Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, and Petty Officer Owen Green,…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportBBCJun 4, 2026

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 serving female Royal Navy commando, and Petty…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportThe GuardianJun 4, 2026

Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, Lt Cmdr Chris Gayson and Petty Officer Owen Green died during Royal Navy training exercise Britain’s only serving female naval commando has been named as one of the three people who died in a helicopter crash during a…

View source →

Tier key: T0 = Primary source · T1 = Wire · T2 = Outlet report · T3 = Commentary

Related stories

PoliticsT2 · Outlet report

UK tries to stop Trump's diesel export ban

John Healey said the government is in talks with the US over Donald Trump's threat to stop exports.

1 update1 source
Sep 28, 2026
Latest: UK tries to stop Trump's diesel export ban · BBC
PoliticsT2 · Outlet report

Dan Jarvis named new defence secretary as Al Carns quits government – UK politics as it happened

Government confirms Jarvis’s move from role as security minister to replace John Healey Dan Jarvis has been named as the new defence secretary, replacing John Healey. Dan Jarvis…

4 updates2 sources2 weeks long
Jun 11, 2026 → Jun 28, 2026
Latest: Burnham may have to boost defence spending to pass ‘Moscow test’, says ex-military chief · The Guardian
GeneralT2 · Outlet report

'Potentially record-breaking' temperatures across South West

Warm temperatures in June "are potentially going to be record-breaking", according to a Met Office meteorologist. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) upgraded an amber heat…

6 updates3 sources6 days long
Jun 22, 2026 → Jun 28, 2026
Latest: ‘As soon as I see the sun, I’m frightened’: The parents paying the heart-breaking price of soaring… · CNN
GeneralT2 · Outlet report

State functions, offices and tourists: plans for revamped Buckingham Palace

Despite £369m upgrade, King Charles will never live in palace but aides stress it will remain ‘buzzing hive’ of activity Not all modern British monarchs have viewed the prospect…

1 update1 source
Jun 26, 2026
Latest: State functions, offices and tourists: plans for revamped Buckingham Palace · The Guardian
GeneralT2 · Outlet report

Prince William to no longer benefit from Dartmoor Prison rent

The Prince of Wales has opted to no longer personally benefit from the £1.5m in rent generated by Dartmoor Prison each year. Prince William has asked for the sum to be removed…

1 update1 source
Jun 26, 2026
Latest: Prince William to no longer benefit from Dartmoor Prison rent · BBC
GeneralT2 · Outlet report

More than 1,300 deaths a month in England due to long A&E waits, figures suggest

Senior medical staff call for solutions to tackle root causes of excess deaths amid tenfold increase in a decade More than 1,300 patients a month in England are dying needlessly…

3 updates2 sources2 weeks long
Jun 8, 2026 → Jun 24, 2026
Latest: UK facing another 'tropical night' after temperatures top 36C on warmest day of year so far · BBC