Pair escape helicopter crash with no injuries

TWO flight lovers are counting their blessings today after miraculously surviving a crash-landing in a small two-seater helicopter without any injuries.

The incident, which occurred just after 5pm yesterday evening, took place in the Hazelwood Road area of Co Sligo approximately a mile outside Sligo town.

Eye-witnesses said the small helicopter — which was carrying a 31-year-old pilot and a 19-year-old girl — appeared to get into difficulty for reasons which are now being investigated.

The two people on-board the black chopper, which was a slightly-built two-seater Robinson R22 on hire from a company at Knock airport, grappled to bring it under control before crash-landing into a field in the town-land.

As our pictures show, just like our own economic downfall the landing was far from soft — with the helicopter coming to a less than delicate halt on its side.

However, miraculously neither occupant suffered any injuries, with both only receiving treatment for shock at the scene.