Helicopter Crashes Into Farm Building in Westmeath

Gardai and emergency services are currently at the scene of an incident in Co Westmeath after a helicopter crashed into a farm building.

The incident occurred near Killucan, Co Westmeath at approximately 3.30pm.

The helicopter was travelling with a number of people on board when it crashed into a building situated on a pig farm close to Ratharney GAA Club this afternoon.

The emergency operation now in place is still in its initial stages this evening, but it’s understood at least two people have died.

It’s currently believed that nobody on the farm has been injured.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit, the authority for investigating air accidents and serious incidents in Ireland, has confirmed it’s also involved in the investigation into the crash.

The acting chief fire officer of Westmeath fire and rescue service, Pat Hunt, told Midlands 103: “We understand that it’s an incident involving a helicopter crashing into a building in the Joristown upper townland in Killucan, Co Westmeath.”

“All the principal response agencies are mobilising to the scene: An Garda Síochána, the ambulance service and ourselves. What we can understand is that there are a number of casualties involved, but again, we cannot at this stage confirm the number.”