Book of condolence opens for helicopter crash crew

A book of condolence has opened for three members of the Royal Navy who died in a helicopter crash.

Lt Cdr Chris Gayson, 42, Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, and Petty Officer Owen Green, 24, died in the crash in Sourton, near Okehampton, Devon on Wednesday.

The book at St James's Chapel in Okehampton follows a special mass at All Saints Church in the town on Sunday.

Meanwhile, speaking at an event in Yeovil, Somerset, on Monday, chief executive of helicopter manufacturer Leonardo UK Clive Higgins said the firm's "thoughts and feelings" were with the families affected.

Higgins said his team was "fully available" to support the ongoing investigation.

He added: "First and foremost, our thoughts and feelings are with the families of the crew that were tragically impacted by the events of last week, and also the community around the Navy, and my team in Yeovil and across the UK from a Leonardo perspective, so thoughts are with those."

He also paid tribute to the first responders who attended the scene, but said he could not comment further due to the investigation.

Reverend Claire Reynolds said multiple messages had been left in the book of condolence already, adding it would be open for a couple of weeks.

Reynolds said the crash had hit to community "hard" and that there was a "great sense of sadness" in the town.

She said she hoped the book could be presented to the navy and the affected families.