Britain’s only female Royal Navy commando was among three crew members killed in a helicopter crash in Devon – as they are pictured for the first time.
Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, died alongside Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson, 42, and Petty Officer Owen Green, 24, when the Merlin Mk4 came down in a field just before 4am on Wednesday.
Residents hailed the crew as ‘heroes’ who ‘saved lives’ by avoiding nearby homes and a Travelodge hotel.
Defence Secretary John Healey said on Wednesday that the three, who were based in Yeovil, Somerset, were ‘dedicated and highly valued members of their squadrons who embodied the best of our Armed Forces’.
Lieutenant Fisher, one of the helicopter’s two pilots who served with 846 Naval Air Squadron, appeared on the ITV shows Take Me Out hosted by Paddy McGuinness and Ninja Warrior UK.
She has been described by the Royal Navy as ‘an inspiration’ to women in the armed forces, whose death was a ‘huge loss’.
Witnesses said the chopper had been flying at a very low level before it plummeted to the ground and exploded close to the village of Sourton Down, near Okehampton.
Aerial images from the scene of the crash show debris left scattered across the grass.
Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, from Surrey, died in a helicopter crash during a training exercise
Lieutenant Fisher appeared on the ITV shows Take Me Out hosted by Paddy McGuinness and Ninja Warrior UK
Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson (left) and Petty Officer Owen Green (right) were also killed
Lt Fisher appeared on the ITV shows Take Me Out and Ninja Warrior UK
A drone photo shows the scene of the Royal Navy helicopter crash at Sourton Cross on WednesdayLt Fisher grew up in Virginia Water, Surrey and graduated from Imperial College London in 2016 after studying geology.
She joined the University Army Officer Training Corps in 2012 and then the University Air Squadron in 2013.
The talented sportswoman worked as an exploration geologist for BP for two years, until she resigned in 2018 – accepting a commission in the Royal Navy around a year later.
She previously described being in the Royal Navy as a ‘massive privilege and a huge honour to serve my country’.
Among her helicopter flying training, Lt Fisher represented Great Britain at the European Age Group Triathlon Championships in 2021.
After a stint in a supporting role to a specialist maritime unit, she successfully completed the 16-week All Arms Commando Course – something very few women have completed to date.
Completing the course at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines meant she became Britain’s only serving female Royal Navy commando.
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.
Her family said: ‘Lily-Mae was an extraordinary woman, daughter, sister, and partner. 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.’
Lt Fisher grew up in Virginia Water, Surrey and graduated from Imperial College London in 2016 after studying geology
Investigators are pictured on the scene near Okehampton in Devon on Thursday morning
Officials arrived at the site, amid the debris of the crashed helicopter, on June 4, 2026
Tributes have also been paid to her crew members Lt Cdr Gayson, 42, from Somerset and Petty Officer Green, 24, from Hampshire.
Lt Cdr Gayson joined the Navy as a Warfare (Pilot) Officer in September 2008 after studying for a Masters in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bath. He served with 846 Naval Air Squadron and was promoted to the role of Lieutenant Commander in 2020.
The MoD said his leadership was ‘exemplary’ and labelled him the ‘utmost professional’.
His family said: ‘Chris was an extremely kind and gentle family man who loved his entire family dearly.
‘He was also passionate about and dedicated to his job in the Royal Navy.’
Meanwhile, Petty Officer Green joined the Royal Navy in January 2022, beginning initial training at HMS Raleigh before serving with 845 Naval Air Squadron.
He 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’.
His family said: ‘Losing Owen has left us all devastated. His life was far too short, and our hearts will forever be broken.
‘He was a caring and devoted son, brother, grandson, and partner to Iona, whom he loved and cherished.
‘His kindness, warmth, and character touched everyone who knew him. We are so proud of him achieving his life’s goal to serve in the Royal Navy as a Junglie Aircrewman and are grateful for the joy he brought into ours and Iona’s lives.
‘He is so loved and will remain in our hearts forever.’
Sir Gwyn, the head of the Navy, said yesterday: ‘I am deeply saddened to share the news that three crew members onboard a Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopter have died after it crashed in the early hours of this morning near Sourton, Devon.
‘I know this will come as a huge shock to all in our Naval community, and my deepest condolences go out to the families, friends and loved ones impacted by this tragedy.
‘I would like to thank Devon and Cornwall Police and the search and rescue teams who responded to the incident this morning. An investigation is under way.’
The King is aware of the crash and will write privately to the families, it is understood – while the Princess of Wales has also expressed her condolences.
Princess Catherine, who is Commander-in-Chief of the Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, posted online: ‘I was so saddened to hear of the tragic loss of three service personnel from the Fleet Air Arm following a helicopter training exercise last night.
‘William and I hold their families and friends in our hearts at this very difficult time.’
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.’
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.’
The Ministry of Defence said the families of the personnel killed in the incident have been informed.
Defence Secretary John Healey said he was ‘devastated’ at the three deaths of personnel who ‘served with excellence and will be much missed’.
A witness to the crash on Wednesday described the helicopter flying very low over his home, and then moving away before hearing the engines cut and the flash of an explosion.
A huge fire in the field in Sourton Down after the helicopter came down at about 4am on June 3
Eddie Amhof, 81, who lives nearby, said: ‘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 crashfam 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.’
An MoD spokesperson said: ‘It is with deep sadness that we can confirm three members of the Royal Navy have died during a helicopter training exercise on Wednesday, June 3 near Sourton, Devon.
‘The families of the service personnel have been informed and have requested a period of grace before further details are released. Our thoughts and sympathies are with their families and friends at this sad time.’
