They were a few minutes from home. Yesterday, the rotary blades of the Fishers' private helicopter could be seen poking out from the trees at the edge of a field just outside Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, where the tragedy that has stunned the local community took place on Sunday afternoon.
An air crash investigator collected debris in a black plastic bag, while RUC officers gazed at the accident site which claimed the lives of Mark (27) and Emma (25) and, late last night, Bertie Fisher. The crash also left Mr Fisher's wife Gladys in a critical condition, while their youngest son, Roy (23), was said to be serious but stable in hospital last night.
The family had been returning from Ashford Castle, Co Mayo, where they had celebrated Gladys's 50th birthday. Bertie Fisher, an experienced pilot, was flying the helicopter that was a familiar sight around Co Fermanagh. They were within five minutes of their home at Lough Erne.
Mark, a rising star in the rally world and Emma, a chiropodist, were killed instantly in Sunday's accident. Conditions were said to have been foggy and witnesses saw the helicopter flying very low before disappearing into the wood on the edge of the fields of rough pasture. The cause of the accident is still unknown.
A light rain fell and the sun glinted over the hills yesterday afternoon at the scene of the tragedy in the townland of Monea, a few miles from Enniskillen. Not quite believing the tragic news, locals tramped across muddy fields to view the twisted metal of the helicopter wreckage. UUP councillor Bertie Kerr was among them. He came with his two sons Warren (28) and David (26), who works with UUP leader David Trimble. Both were childhood friends of Mark Fisher. "I just can't take it in," said Warren, looking over at the chilling accident scene.
"He was the best ambassador for Northern Ireland, you could have sent him anywhere and been proud of him," said David of Mark.
Shocked friends and relatives maintained a vigil for the Fishers at the family home in Goblusk and at Erne Hospital.
There was an eerie silence a few miles away in the Fishers' home village of Ballinamallard. Local publican Kenny Crawford of the Mallard Pub said the community was in deep shock.
Around the corner, Fisher Engineering, Bertie Fisher's successful family business that employed 180 locals, had shut up shop. Signs had been placed on the gates. Closed until further notice due to family tragedy, the black lettering read.