Tributes have been paid to a 24-year-old Royal Navy aircrewman who died in a helicopter crash.
Petty Officer Owen Green, of Hampshire, died alongside two colleagues after the Merlin MK4 crashed during a training flight in Sourton, Devon, on Wednesday.
The other victims were Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson and Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher. All three served with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm.
PO Green had joined the Royal Navy in January 2022, beginning initial training at HMS Raleigh before progressing through advanced aircrew courses at RNAS Yeovilton, RAF Shawbury and RNAS Culdrose.
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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."
PO Green earned his Aircrewman Wings in June 2025 and was promoted to Leading Hand in September 2025.
He took part in major exercises such as Hades Warrior and Wyvern Tor 26.
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He was also deployed on Operation Clockwork 26, where he recorded the highest flying hours in challenging Arctic conditions and obtained his Arctic environmental qualification.
Air Vice-Marshal Lee Turner, commander of Joint Aviation Command, 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."
In a statement, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was "deeply saddened" by the crash, and described the incident as "utterly tragic".
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the incident happened just before 4am on Wednesday, with images showing the destroyed aircraft at the scene.
Police said emergency services were notified at around 3.45am after reports of a crash at Sourton Down, near Okehampton, Devon.
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