Two men dead after helicopter crash in Westmeath
Wreckage of the helicopter which crashed into a pig farm in Joristown pictured this evening...Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
Two people have died in a helicopter crash in Co Westmeath this afternoon.
Gardaí and emergency services responded to the incident, which occurred near Killucan at around 3.30pm.
Officials are liaising with the family of one male, Irish national (40s).
An Garda Síochána continue to establish contact with the next of kin of the second male (40s) who is understood to be from Eastern Europe, and may request the assistance of Interpol.
The scene will remain persevered overnight to allow for this investigation to take place.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) is leading the investigation and will work together with An Garda Síochána throughout all stages.
An Garda Síochána will assist the AAIU by providing any technical and/or forensic services which may be required in the course of their investigation.
Both bodies have been removed from the scene to Regional Hospital Mullingar where post mortems will take place in due course.
A witness saw the helicopter falling quickly from the sky, ‘bouncing’ when it hit the ground and then colliding with the farm building.
The two men who died were in the helicopter when it crashed, it is understood.
No one on the ground was injured.
Local shopkeeper Tom Keyes said: "Around 4'clock, I heard there was a big crash just down the road, and the news broke then.
"It's tragic for the families, and it's tragic for the man who owns the buildings as well.
"What more can you say, you'd have hoped that there was less damage but there's not, there's two dead and maybe more, we don't know yet.
"It's such a shock in the area, you don't often hear about things like this in Killucan."
Local woman Patricia Doyle said: "My daughter rang me, and it wasn't long after happening, and I just thought to myself, those people set out for work and that's the way they are going home.
"God help their families."
The helicopter was privately owned and had been travelling from the Dublin direction. The deceased are not believed to be from the local area.
The farm building was empty at the time.
The helicopter has circled the area before it crashed, according to witness accounts.
The helicopter did not catch fire when it crashed.
The helicopter left Weston airport shortly after 3pm and went off radar at Joristown at 3.49pm, according to the flight radar.
It is believed to be a privately-owned aircraft.
Taoiseach Simon Harris expressed his concern.
“Thinking of all those involved in the Westmeath helicopter crash,” he posted on X, formerly Twitter.
He added: “My thoughts & gratitude are also with all the emergency services working to help at this time.”
The AAIU, attached to the Department of Transport, is responsible for the investigation of aircraft accidents and serious incidents that occur within Ireland.
Gardai will deal with the families of the deceased and conduct an investigation file for the coroner.
Sources said gardaí and the AAIU will work “hand-in-hand” throughout the investigation.
In a post on social media, the AAIU said it has been notified of the incident involving a "single-engine helicopter".
It wrote: "The AAIU has been notified of an accident involving a single-engine helicopter near Killucan, Co Westmeath, this afternoon,”
“The AAIU is deploying a team of inspectors at this time. Further updates will be provided when available.”
The AAIU has been notified of an accident involving a single-engine helicopter near Killucan Co. Westmeath this afternoon. The AAIU is deploying a team of inspectors at this time. Further updates will be provided when available.
— AAIU IRELAND (@aaiu_ireland) July 30, 2024
More to follow.
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