Emergency services rush to scene as ‘light aircraft’ crash-lands in Ireland
Authorities were responding to a 'live and ongoing operation'
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A “light aircraft” has crashed in Ireland, which saw multiple emergency service branches rush to the scene.
The incident occurred at about 12.50pm on Thursday, between Waterford Airport and Tramore.
Irish authorities said the crash involved a “light aircraft”, while air crash investigators said it was a “twin-engined general aviation aircraft”.
Accounts of the incident describe the aircraft crashed in a field near the airport, with the tail-section still upright.
Online flight-tracking websites show the privately owned Vulcanair P68C was flying between Sligo and Beziers, in France, when it turned around off the south coast of Ireland and headed back towards Waterford before the crash.
At this time, it is unknown how many people were aboard the plane.
An Garda spokesman said: “As this is a live and ongoing operation, no further information is available at this time.”
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of the Department of Transport is investigating the incident with the emergency services and the Irish Aviation Authority.
The AAIU said it is deploying four air accident inspectors to the site near Lisselan, outside Tramore.
Sinn Fein representative for Waterford, David Cullinane, said a rescue helicopter was among emergency services responding to the crash.
He said it was a “shock” to the local area, adding that the community’s thoughts are with whoever was on the plane.
Conor D. McGuinness, fellow Sinn Fein representative for Waterford, said he was: "Hearing reports of a twin engine plane crashing just outside Waterford City. Praying for the best outcome."
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"Road closures in the vicinity of Waterford Airport. Please give our emergency services the space to do their work," he added.
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