An investigation is under way into a helicopter crash in Co Westmeath which claimed the lives of two men.
The victims, both aged in their 40s, were killed when their helicopter came down on the roof of a piggery in the Joristown townland.
The crash, which occurred close to Raharney GAA club, between the villages of Raharney and Killucan, happened at about 3.30pm.
Gardaí are liaising with the family of one of the men, an Irish national, while investigators may request the assistance of Interpol to establish contact with the next of kin of the second man, who is understood to be from eastern Europe.
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The two men were the only occupants of the helicopter, and were pronounced dead at the scene. Both bodies have been removed from the scene to Regional Hospital Mullingar where postmortems will take place. The local coroner has been notified.
The flight originated at Dublin’s Weston Airport, according to flight data, and the helicopter had been in the air for some 25 minutes when the crash occurred.
Westmeath Fire and Rescue Service and the National Ambulance Service on Tuesday evening left the scene of the incident, which was to be preserved overnight for further investigations.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU), the authority for investigating air accidents and serious incidents in Ireland, is the lead agency investigating the incident, while gardaí will provide technical and forensic assistance where required.
“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.”
Taoiseach Simon Harris said in a statement on X that he was being kept briefed on the fatal incident. Mr Harris said he was thinking of those involved, and extended his gratitude to the emergency services.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was “deeply shocked to learn of the tragic loss of life in the helicopter crash in Westmeath today”.
“My thoughts and prayers go to those who died in this terrible accident, their families, and to the emergency services who worked in such difficult circumstances.”
Sorca Clarke, Sinn Féin TD for Longford-Westmeath, said she was “deeply saddened” to learn of the double fatality.
“My thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and loved ones.
“The area the helicopter came down in is a small rural community and locals have expressed to me their shock at this tragic event.
“I want to extend also my sincere thanks to those who came to the aid of the men, the first responders and the emergency services. My thoughts are with them also this evening.”
The helicopter, a small aircraft, struck outhouse buildings at the piggery. It was not clear if anyone was present in those buildings at the time of the crash.
Pat Hunt, acting chief fire officer with Westmeath Fire and Rescue Service, told Midlands 103FM on Tuesday afternoon that a large scale emergency response operation was under way. He added all of the units in Mullingar Fire Brigade had been mobilised to the scene.
Speaking from close to the scene, Declan Weir, chairman of Raharney GAA club, said that crash was “serious”, and he understood that there were a number of people killed.
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