Two men have been killed in a helicopter crash in county Westmeath.
The victims, one believed to be a foreign national, were killed when the helicopter crashed on the roof of a piggery outside the village of Killucan. They are both understood to be in their forties.
The two men are understood to be the only occupants of the small aircraft, with no other injuries reported. It is understood that the helicopter struck outhouse buildings this afternoon at around 3.30pm.
The helicopter, which had taken off from Weston Aerodrome, had been in the air for some 23 minutes when the fatal incident occurred.
The Westmeath Examiner reports that the four-year-old helicopter crashed into an agricultural shed at Joristown, not far from Killucan GAA’s grounds.
Gardaí, along with emergency services, attended the scene of the incident in the Joristown townland, where they remained for some time.
“At approximately 3:30pm today, Tuesday 30th of July 2024, Gardaí and emergency services responded to a report of a serious incident involving a helicopter at a rural farm near Killucan, Co. Westmeath,” Garda said in a statement, which continued:
“Two people on board the aircraft were pronounced deceased at the scene. An Garda Síochána are liaising with the family of one male, Irish national (40s).
“An Garda Síochána continue to establish contact with the next of kin of the second male (40s) who is understood to be from Eastern Europe, and may request the assistance of Interpol.
“Both bodies have been removed from the scene to Regional Hospital Mullingar where post mortems will take place in due course. The local Coroner has been notified. Westmeath Fire and Rescue Service and the National Ambulance Service have now left the scene.
“The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) is the authority for investigating air accidents and serious incidents in Ireland and are the lead agency investigating this aircraft incident. The scene will remain persevered overnight to allow for this investigation to take place.
“An Garda Síochána will assist the AAIU by providing any technical and/or forensic services which may be required in the course of their investigation.”
Locals told the Sunday World that they believed the helicopter may have experienced engine trouble before it crashed. Local man Sean Power, who was working on a roof just half a mile from the crash scene, told the paper:
“I was working away and the next thing I just heard the engine cut out.
“I heard the airplane, I didn’t see it and the next thing I heard was a big bang. The engine just cut out and the bang was very quick after it so I don’t know if it was that high.”
Local shopkeeper, Tom Keyes, said it was a “dark day for the village,” adding: “All of a sudden it is on every paper and every news bulletin.”
“It is a terrible thing,” he said, adding: “What more do you say? Its unprecedented for the area.”
Meanwhile, the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) confirmed in the last hour that it had been notified of the accident, and stated it was deploying a team of inspectors to investigate.
“The AAIU has been notified of an accident involving a single-engine helicopter near Killucan, Co Westmeath, this afternoon,” it said. “The AAIU is deploying a team of inspectors at this time. Further updates will be provided when available.”