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Royal Navy Helicopter Crashes Near Okehampton, Roads Closed

6/3/2026

39 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A Royal Navy helicopter crashed into a field at Sourton Down near Okehampton, Devon just before 04:00 BST on 3 June 2026.
The crash forced the closure of the A386 and A30 around the Sourton Cross slip area.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the incident is ongoing and will issue updates as they become available.
The Ministry of Defence identified the aircraft as belonging to the Royal Navy and launched an investigation.

History

Historical Context

Royal Navy Sea King helicopters have a troubled legacy: a 1982 Falklands crash killed eight crew and the Ministry of Defence later recorded that 12 Sea Kings—15 % of the fleet—were lost in that war, prompting safety reforms. Decades of incidents, including a 2003 Persian Gulf collision, have kept modernization urgent, a concern echoed by today’s Okehampton crash.

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Story summary

A Royal Navy helicopter crashed into a field at Sourton Down near Okehampton, Devon just before 04:00 BST on 3 June 2026.
The crash forced the closure of the A386 and A30 around the Sourton Cross slip area.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the incident is ongoing and will issue updates as they become available.
The Ministry of Defence identified the aircraft as belonging to the Royal Navy and launched an investigation.

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