Helicopter crash: One of the men killed was a 'highly successful IT consultant'

Wreckage of the helicopter which crashed into a pig farm in Co Westmeath on Tuesday evening.

One of the two men killed in a helicopter crash in Westmeath has been named as Niall Crosby.

Mr Crosby, 46, originally from Co Kildare but living in Dublin, was a "highly successful IT consultant, entrepreneur and founder who had spent much of his working life in London," his family said in a statement.

He leaves behind his wife Jillian and children, Thomas and Robin.

"Niall's family would like to thank everyone who has been in touch with their condolences over the past extraordinarily difficult 24 hours," a statement on behalf of the family said.

"They would like to particularly thank the first responders and the various authorities who have been so understanding and professional.

"And they would like to especially thank the local communities of Killucan and Raharney for their thoughts and prayers.

"We also have a special thought for Niall’s co-pilot and his family at this tragic time."

Gardaí have said that formal identification of the second man who is from Eastern Europe has taken place.

The helicopter that crashed into a pig farm in Westmeath was expected to be removed from the site by Wednesday evening.

A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said the helicopter's removal was in progress and it was hoped to complete this process by the end of Wednesday. 

The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) has appealed to the public to share any photos or videos taken around the time of the crash near Killucan on Tuesday afternoon with investigators.

A team of AAIU inspectors arrived at Killucan, Co Westmeath, on Wednesday morning to continue a survey of the accident site, and to recover the helicopter to the AAIU’s wreckage examination facility at Gormanston Co Meath.

The two men, who were both in their 40s, were pronounced dead at the scene.

One witness saw the helicopter falling quickly from the sky, "bouncing" when it hit the ground and then hitting the farm building.

A witness also said it looked like the helicopter was trying to find somewhere to land before it crashed.

Local Fianna Fáil councillor Alfie Devine said their deaths bring transport fatalities up to five in the area in recent weeks, after a number of deadly road accidents.

“It’s shocking for all the families involved and another tragedy for the area,” he said.

The scene of the helicopter crash in Joristown Upper townland in Killucan, Co Westmeath.

Tuesday’s helicopter crash was the second local air accident, after a light aircraft crashed in nearby Raharney, less than one mile from Killucan in 2006, Mr Devine said.

Two men were also killed in that crash and that plane had also departed from Weston Airport, Co Dublin, he said.

Both aircraft had also been involved in training exercises around the time of the crashes, it is understood.

Graham Liddy, former head of engineering with the AAIU, said the Bell 505 helicopter was engaging in “autorotated training” at the time of the crash.

“That’s practising for the contingency of an engine failure in the helicopter,” he told Newstalk Breakfast.

“It teaches the pilot under instruction how to perform a landing after the engine in a helicopter actually fails.” 

But he said that he did not know whether this could have been linked to the accident.

The cause of the accident may take up to a year to establish because smaller aircraft rarely carry flight recorders, he said.