Two killed as light aircraft crashes in Westmeath

Two men have died in a light aircraft crash near Killucan in Co Westmeath this morning.

The plane, which belonged to the National Flying Centre, based at Weston Aerodrome in Co Kildare, came down in the Raharney area at around 11am, killing both people on board.

The victims are believed to be an instructor from the centre and his passenger.

A local man apparently tried to rescue the pair, who were unconscious when he arrived on the scene.

However, he was forced to move away from the scene due to fears of a possible fire or explosion because fuel was leaking from the aircraft.