A rural community united in prayer today in a show of support for the families of three men killed in a plane crash near a seaside village in Northern Ireland.
Worshippers in the small coastal communities of Annalong and Kilkeel, Co Down, used their regular Sunday services to pray for the bereaved.
Pilot Hugh McKnight, a 53-year-old former police officer, was returning from the TT races in the Isle of Man with passengers Stephen Annett and Andrew Burden, both 24, when they crashed into a field.
The three friends were members of the congregations at Annalong Presbyterian Church and Mourne Presbyterian Church, in nearby Kilkeel.
Reverend Stuart Finlay, of Annalong Presbyterian Church, said prayers were said today for the men's families ahead of the funerals expected early in the week.
"There was a very sombre mood today," he said. "Everybody is still very much in shock."
The light aircraft came down in misty weather conditions in a field near the Co Down harbour town of Kilkeel just after 9pm on Friday.
Investigators from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch at Farnborough, Hampshire, are now examining the circumstances of the tragedy.
It is thought that the aircraft was coming in to land on a privately owned airstrip.
Rev Finlay said Mr McKnight had a great passion for motorbikes which was overtaken in recent years by his love for flying.
The pilot had been flying since about 1996 and would often take friends on pleasure flights, the minister said.
During the week he had been taking people to and from to the Isle of Man for the world-famous motorbike races.
Mr Burden was also a captain of Annalong football club.
Rev Finlay said the families of all three were heartbroken by the tragic deaths.
He said the men played an active role in their communities and were widely known and respected.
After the services, the minister said: "There is still a sense of devastation among the families and the wider communities."
PA