King Charles honours three crew members killed in a Merlin helicopter crash this week

King Charles III has publicly acknowledged the fatal helicopter crash in Devon that claimed three lives earlier this week, expressing his deep personal sorrow during a ceremony at Windsor Castle on Friday.

Speaking in his capacity as Captain General of the Royal Marines, the King addressed the tragedy directly. "I would also wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge with the greatest sadness the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter on Wednesday," he said.

Drawing on his own military background, he added: "As a former Junglie pilot with 845 Naval Air Squadron, I was profoundly shocked to hear this most tragic news."

He concluded his tribute by saying: "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families, friends and colleagues of those involved. Their service is held in the highest regard, and they remain very much in our prayers."

The crash and those who lost their lives

The incident occurred on Wednesday when a Merlin Mk4 helicopter came down near Okehampton, Devon, during a training exercise. All three crew members aboard the aircraft were killed. The victims — Lt Cdr Chris Gayson, Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, and Petty Officer Owen Green — were stationed at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset.