Man dies in 'acrobatic stunt show' at Abbeyshrule Aerodrome

Latest: The pilot who died when his single-seater aircraft came down at the Abbeyshrule Aerodrome yesterday evening has been named as William Hillick from Mullingar in Co Westmeath.

Update 12.39pm: The pilot who died when his single-seater aircraft came down at the Abbeyshrule Aerodrome yesterday evening has been named as William Hillick from Mullingar in Co Westmeath.

Earlier: A Longford community is in shock after a man in his 40s died when his single-seater plane crashed yesterday evening.

The crash happened at around 6pm at Abbeyshrule Aerodrome off the N55 Athlone Road following an "acrobatic stunt show".

Emergency services attended the scene and the pilot, who was from Mullingar, was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The tragedy comes almost a year after a helicopter crashed into the side of a pub near the village before falling onto its side on the banks of the Royal Canal.

Local Fianna Fáil Councillor, Mick Cahill, says it is another sad day for Abbeyshrule.

He said: "A tragedy in Abbeyshrule, where a plane came down near the runway in Abbeyshrule is very tragic for the family and my sympathies go out to the family.

"It's a sad day for Abbeyshrule as well, because it is a very well run airport and it's a pity something like this happening."