Britain is mourning the death of Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher, a pioneering Royal Navy officer whose achievements made her one of the most recognisable faces in the UK's armed forces. The 31-year-old was killed in a helicopter crash during a military training exercise in Devon.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that a Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed into a field near Sourton Down, close to Okehampton, shortly before 4 am on Wednesday. Images from the scene showed the aircraft had been completely destroyed.
It is with great sadness that we can confirm the deaths of Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson and Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher of 846 Naval Air Squadron, and Petty Officer Owen Green of 845 Naval Air Squadron, who died in Devon during routine training activity on 3 June. pic.twitter.com/UuLkf4dMts
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) June 4, 2026
From athlete to naval officer
Raised in Virginia Water, Surrey, Fisher built an impressive record long before joining the military. She studied Geology at Imperial College London, graduating with an MSc in 2016.
A keen sportsperson, she represented her regional netball team and competed for England in junior lacrosse and pole vault. She later represented Great Britain at the European Age Group Triathlon Championships, per a report by NDTV.
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While at university, Fisher joined the Officer Training Corps and University Air Squadron, where she discovered her passion for aviation. After graduation, she worked as a geologist for British Petroleum for two years before joining the Royal Navy in 2019.
Breaking barriers in the Royal Navy
Fisher became a trailblazer after completing the demanding 16-week All Arms Commando Course while training to become a pilot in the Commando Helicopter Force.
The course included a 30-foot rope climb and a 30-mile endurance march. She became one of only seven women in British military history to earn the coveted commando badge, and was widely recognised as the first serving female Royal Navy commando.
Operational service and social media following
During her military career, Fisher served as a Watch Keeper on Operation ISOTROPE, the UK's response to the Channel migrant crisis. Her responsibilities included coordinating naval assets involved in locating and recovering vessels to prevent loss of life.
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Beyond her operational role, she gained a large social media following through her Instagram account, @lily_mae_fisher. With nearly 50,000 followers, she offered insights into military life and the challenges of commando training, inspiring many young people interested in joining the armed forces.
A promising future cut short
Fisher joined 846 Naval Air Squadron in 2025 and was due to receive her pilot's wings in June 2026.
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Paying tribute, the Ministry of Defence described her as "an inspiration to countless people, particularly young women, encouraging them to achieve their dreams," and said she had "a very bright future as a Naval Aviator ahead of her."
Her family remembered her as an extraordinary person, saying, "Lily-Mae was an extraordinary woman, daughter, sister, and partner."
