Tributes to Royal Navy crew as inquests opened

Tributes have been paid by the families of three members of the Royal Navy killed in a helicopter crash, as inquests into their deaths opened.

Lt Cdr Chris Gayson, 42, Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, who was Britain's only serving female Royal Navy commando, and 24-year-old Petty Officer Owen Green died when their Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed into a field at Sourton, Devon, on 3 June.

The trio, based at the Royal Navy Air Station at Yeovilton, Somerset, died in a training exercise.

The inquests at Devon Coroner's Court, in Exeter, heard they were identified by dental records and their precise causes of death have yet to be established.

The family of Fisher said she had a passion for flying which was shaped at university before she joined the Navy in 2019.

They said she cared about inspiring others, speaking openly about "grit, determination and refusing to give up".

"She was driven above all to show women and girls that nothing was beyond their reach," her family said.

"As she put it, 'be the reason another woman believes that she can'. Inspiring others was central to her life."

At the time of her death Fisher was on her final Merlin training exercise with her pilots' wings due in June having joined the 846 squadron in 2025.

Gayson's family said he was "respected and admired" by them especially for the strength and commitment he had to follow things through.

"He combined quiet sincerity with poise and light-hearted charm, he could move effortlessly between thoughtful reflection and spirited revelry and knew the value of both," they said.

"His humility often belied his outstanding achievements as both a Royal Navy officer and accomplished helicopter instructor."

Green's family said he was just 24 but had "everything to live for".

They said: "He had his dream job. He had the biggest grin that guaranteed you would be smiling in response.

"He was chivalrous and kind and never turned away from someone in need."

Senior Devon coroner Philip Spinney adjourned the inquests so that the circumstances that "led to cause their deaths can be fully investigated".

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