Helicopter deaths 'devastating' for Royal Navy

Helicopter deaths 'devastating' for Royal Navy14 minutes agoShareSaveAdd 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 which happened at about 03:45 BST on Wednesday in a field 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.An investigation into the crash is being conducted by the Defence Accident Investigation Branch.Speaking on BBC 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."Their loss will be felt far and beyond their family and friends, commander helicopter force and everyone they knew - it's devastating."'Lily-Mae inspired people'Fisher was was Britain's only female Royal Navy commando having completed a 13-week All Arms Commando Course.Speaking previously to the BBC, 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...