Lieutenant Mark Reynolds, Army Air Corps and Warrant Officer Class 2 Vince Hussell of 2 (Training) Regiment Army Air Corps died after the training helicopter came down in fields near the village of Kingscott, near Torrington, North Devon at around 3.45pm on Thursday.

Investigators are examining reports that the HT1 Squirrel aircraft hit power lines.

One crew member was pronounced dead at the scene and the second was airlifted to hospital but died later.

The helicopter was from 670 Army Air Corps Squadron, based at Middle Wallop in Hampshire.

A spokesman for the MoD said: "It is with deep sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Lieutenant Mark Reynolds and Warrant Officer Class 2 Vince Hussell.

"Lt Mark Reynolds was a student and WO Hussell was his instructor on the Army Pilots' Course at Middle Wallop.

"They were flying on the final exercise of the course that takes place in the South West of England.

"During one of their training sorties their aircraft crashed.

"Their deaths come as an incredible shock to friends and colleagues, and they will be deeply missed by their comrades at Middle Wallop and the wider Army Air Corps."