A man died after the microlight aircraft he was piloting crashed in Co Clare on Sunday.
While the circumstances of the tragedy are yet unknown, it is known that it happened at around 4.45 p.m. in a field off Ballard Road, about a mile from Miltown Malbay.
Paramedics from the National Ambulance Service, Clare County Fire and Rescue Service personnel from the Ennistymon station, and Garda all rushed to the scene.
The Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) air ambulance from Athlone was also sent to the scene.
On-site medical personnel declared the individual dead at the scene.
Gardaí have preserved the scene pending the arrival of the AAIU inspectors.
A Garda spokesperson confirmed: “Gardaí and emergency services are currently at the scene of an incident in Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare that occurred this afternoon.
A male was fatally injured when a motor-propelled glider he was flying crashed. The body of the man remains at the scene. The scene is currently preserved and the Air Accident Investigation Unit has been notified.”
While there is some confusion about the type of aircraft involved, it’s believed to have been a flexwing microlight which comprises a delta-shaped hang-glider type wing and single motor.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of the Department of Transport has been notified of the accident and is expected to send inspectors to the scene early on Monday.