I saw plane tyres bursting, says Aslan star

AIR accident investigators say it is too early to tell if the wheels of a Fokker plane exploded on landing, causing it to veer off the runway and partially ditch in the sea.

However, one of the members of pop group Aslan who was among 40 passengers on the plane is in no doubt that is what happened.

“I was sitting by the emergency exit door. The moment the plane hit the runway I looked out and I saw the tyres on my side bursting. I said it to Alan Downey, who was sitting on the other side, and he saw the tyres on that side were gone as well,” Billy McGuinness said.