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2 months ago
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A helicopter has crashed near Killucan, County Westmeath in the Republic of Ireland.
The incident happened at around 15:30 BST.
Gardaí (Irish police) and emergency services are at the scene.
Authorities have said there have been a number of injuries following the incident.
Ireland's Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) has said it has been notified of the accident.
It is deploying a team of inspectors.
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Acting chief fire officer with Westmeath Fire and Rescue Service Pat Hunt told local radio station Midlands 103FM that there have been several casualties in the incident.
A local Hurling club has cancelled all training for Tuesday evening.
Daryl Kennedy, Secretary of Raharney Hurling Club, said the GAA club sits next to the entrance of the farm:
"The farm shed is about 300m from the pitch.
"Myself and the chairperson decided to pull all training due to the incident next door," he said.
Mr Kennedy told RTÉ News there is a "sombre" mood in the area.
"There is a garda presence at the entrance gate to the farm, and there are a significant amount of emergency vehicles at the farm shed, which isn't visible from the road.
"Conditions today were perfect, there is a beautiful open landscape here, and whatever happened, it is quite unfortunate," he added.
Mr Kennedy offered thoughts and prayers with all those involved in the incident and emergency services.
'Thinking of all involved' - Taoiseach
The Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Simon Harris said he is being kept up-to-date on the crash and extended thanks to emergency services at the scene.
In a post on X, formerly twitter, Mr Harris said he is "thinking of all those involved".
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'Shocking and tragic'
RTÉ
The crash is said to have happened on a farm near a GAA club in Killucan
Mayor of Mullingar-Kinnegad Municipal District Ken Glynn described the incident as "shocking and tragic".
"I'm surprised and shocked, it's not something you would expect to hear in your own locality," Mr Glynn said.
He said his thoughts and prayers are with the families of those involved in the incident and the first responders.
"It is a difficult scene for emergency services to be attending," he said.
Fr Stan Deegan, parish priest of St Brigid's Church in Raharney, told RTÉ News he was "shocked to hear the news".
"Whoever the people are who are involved in the incident, and wherever they are from, I hope and pray that life will be spared," he said.
"It is a serious event, and you would worry for the families involved.
"The local community is a very hospitable one, with a good community spirit, and the people here would respond to local needs."
