Pilot Dies in County Waterford Accident

The pilot of a light aircraft which crashed near Dungarvan this afternoon has died.

The plane which he was piloting came down in a field near Dungarvan Golf Club at about 4-30pm.

The scene of the accident is being preserved pending the arrival of the Air Accident Unit who are expected to carry out a preliminary investigation this evening.

It is understood that the crash happened in a field of trees about 5k from Dungarvan about 200 metres from the main Waterford to Dungarvan road. Reports suggest that the man made a mayday call just before 4-30pm and attempted to land in a field.

Gardaí have told members of the media it appeared the man was killed instantly when the aircraft hit the ground.

Early reports suggest that the man was not from the area.

A stretch of the N25 close to where the plane came down was closed by Gardai and diversions are in place which could remain in place for a number of hours.

Gardai are appealing for any witness or anyone who noticed a low flying aircraft in the area this afternoon to contact them in Dungarvan on 058 48600

One Injured in Small Plane Crash near Dungarvan

One person has been seriously injured after a small airplane crash landed near Dungarvan this afternoon.

It is understood that the aircraft came down in a field close to the N25 in the Knocknagranagh area of county Waterford, near Dungarvan Golf Club.

The Road between the Knocknagranagh Cross and Bridgie Terries is closed off as the emergency services work in the area. Local diversions are in place.

It is believed that the injured person is a member of the Waterford Aero Club which operates from Waterford Regional Airport.

Reports suggest that the plane came down after 4-30pm.

The Irish Coastguard Helicopter, Rescue 117 was dispatched to the area to work with other Emergency Services personnel.

The accident happened in much the same area as where Howard Cox died two years ago when his plane also crashed in the area after he left Waterford Regional Airport in a home built plane.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit has already begun an investigation.  

19 people wait on a bed at University Hospital Waterford but other hospitals in the region have higher number

Figures released today by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation show that was 506 people on trolleys across the Country.

The largest number waiting on trolleys is at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore which had 39 people waiting on a bed.

Closer to home and at hospitals in the region numbers are also high.

Thirty six people were waiting on a trolley at Cork University hospital, while at the close by Mercy University Hospital there was eighteen people waiting for a bed.

At both South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel and Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny there were twenty nine people waiting for a bed.

Nineteen patients were waiting for a bed at University Hospital Waterford while at Wexford General Hospital the number waiting on a bed was eleven.

Former Rescue 117 crew member is the first casualty of Helicopter crash off the Co Mayo Coast

A former member of the Rescue 117 Coast Guard Helicopter has been named as the first casualty in this morning’s Helicopter crash off the County Mayo Coast.

45 year old pilot Dara Fitzpatrick has been with the search and rescue service for more than 20 years.

Three other crew members are still missing as the search continues.

She was recovered from the water in a critical condition at first light this morning, some hours after the rescue 116 helicopter disappeared.

Tributes have started to pore in for the deceased pilot.

Gerard O’Flynn, a spokesperson for the Coast Guard said that “Dara is the most senior pilot with CHC – with the company close to 20 years,”.

“Outside of her work as a pilot, she did an enormous amount of work in water safety and was always available to do school visits and highlight basic water safety.

“For all of us involved in the Coast Guard, and particularly her family, it does come as a big shock and we want to extend our sincere sympathies to her sympathy to all her family and indeed to her flying colleagues at CHC.”

The search operation for the other crew members of Rescue 116 is ongoing. The Coast Guard helicopters on scene are being assisted in their search by the Air Corps Casa, RNLI boats, the Naval Services’s LE Róisín, garda divers and local fishing vessels.

Dara Fitzpatrick started working in search and rescue in March 1993, moving from Shannon to Waterford after almost 10 years.

In 2013, she was part of the Coast Guard’s first ever all-female mission alongside her co-pilot Carmel Kirby. She was also filmed for a RTÉ documentary series on Rescue 117 which saw her crew followed for six months.

Five Year Old Boy Injured in Clonmel Incident

Gardai in Clonmel have issued a plea to any witness to an incident in an estate in the town on Saturday evening.

A five year old boy suffered serious injuries when he was struck by a car in the Glen Oaks Close Estate at about 4-50pm.

The boy was playing in a green area in the estate when he was knocked down by a silver Opel Astra.

The car turned over in the estate striking the boy who was removed to hospital to be treated for his injuries which include a broken leg and internal injuries.

The driver of the car was brought to South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel with minor injuries and was later discharged.

Gardai are preparing a File on the incident for the DPP and have asked any witness to the incident to contact them at Clonmel Garda Station on 052 6122222.

Arrangements announced for Paddy Lyons Funeral

The Funeral Mass for 90 year old Paddy Lyons who was found dead at his home on Saturday afternoon last is to take place on Monday.

His remains will lay in repose at Saint Carthage’s Mortuary in Lismore on Sunday afternoon from 2pm to 5-30pm after which he will be brought to Saint Mary’s Church in Ballysaggart. His funeral mass is to take place in Ballysaggart on Monday at 11am, with burial taking place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Gardai seek help in finding Cappoquin Youth

Gardai in Dungarvan have asked the public to help them trace the whereabouts of a 16 year old girl from Cappoquin.

Tammy Dowdall has not been seen since yesterday (March 2).

She is described as 5 foot 6 in height with long brown hair and blue eyes.

When last seen she was wearing a blue jumper, grey trousers, a maroon hoody and a scarf.

Gardai in Dungarvan can be contacted on 058 48600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or at any Garda Station.