23-year-old Irishman confirmed dead after Thai plane crash

The Department of Foreign Affairs have confirmed that a 23-year-old Derry man was among those killed during yesterday’s plane crash in Thailand.

Aaron Toland was one of four Irish people caught up in the disaster on the holiday island of Phuket.

The other three, including Mr Toland’s friend Christopher Cooley, survived the crash and are currently being treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The other two survivors are John O'Donnell, from Liscannor in Co Clare, and William Burke, from Nenagh, Co Tipperary.

At least 90 people lost their lives when the aircraft crashed while trying to land in Phuket during a heavy rainstorm.

One hundred and thirty people were on board, the majority of them western holidaymakers.

Minister Ahern says every possible assistance is being provided to the Irish victims, whose families are due to fly out to Thailand this evening.