King 'profoundly shocked' by navy helicopter deaths

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Helicopter deaths 'devastating' for Royal Navy24 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleGeorge ThorpeDevonMinistry of DefenceTributes have been paid to Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, Petty Officer Owen Green and Lt Cdr Chris Gayson following their deaths on WednesdayFurther tributes have been paid following the deaths of three Royal Navy personnel who were killed 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, 24, died in the incident on Wednesday in Sourton, near Okehampton, Devon. Colleague and friend Cdr Alex Kelley said the deaths of all three, who were based at RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset, would be felt by everyone who knew them and were a "devastating" loss to the navy, while Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the news was "utterly heartbreaking".

An investigation into the crash is being conducted by the Defence Accident Investigation Branch. 'Bright young people'Speaking on Radio 5 Live Breakfast, Kelley said Gayson, Fisher and Green were "exceptionally professional and highly respected members" of the navy. She said: "The loss of any of us is always felt by all of us.

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"Their loss will be felt far and beyond their family and friends, commander helicopter force and everyone they knew - it's devastating. "Pollard said: "We don't know the cause, it's the loss of three bright young people doing something that keeps us all safe. "To see the outpouring of the community for three incredibly brave people shows how important it is to value service and remember those who give their all to keep us all safe.

" Fisher spoke to the in 2024 about becoming a commandoFisher was was Britain's only female Royal Navy commando having completed a 13-week All Arms Commando Course. Speaking previously to the , Fisher - who was training to be a pilot and was due to get her wings later this month - said getting to wear a green beret, which is worn exclusively by those who pass the commando course, was "a real honour". Kelley said Fisher, from Virginia Water in Surrey, was "one of the most down-to-earth, friendly and selfless people" she had ever met and was someone who took every opportunity she could.

"You make the opportunities, you make the experiences in life, they don't come to you, so she had that attitude and it passed onto others," Kelley, who met Fisher while they trained for a challenge to row across the Atlantic, said. "She did some really hard things but she was honest with the challenges that she faced while doing those, so that became relatable to others who were also maybe thinking about pursuing different things. "She just inspired people that they could believe and achieve whatever they wanted.

"Floral tributes have been placed near the scene of the crashTributes have also been paid to Fisher by British Triathlon after she represented Britain at the 2021 European Age Group Triathlon Championships.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.