Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

File photo of a Piper light aircraft Wikimedia Commons
portumna

Occupants of plane that caught fire "got a taxi on to Limerick"

Four people escaped unharmed after their light aircraft came down near Portumna on Christmas Eve.

Updated at 3.20pm

FOUR OCCUPANTS OF a light plane that crash landed near the Galway town of Portumna on Christmas Eve “got a taxi on to Limerick” according to witnesses.

The light ‘Piper’ aircraft caught fire in mid-air, according to the Irish Coast Guard.

Shortly after 2pm on Wednesday, the emergency service received a call from Shannon Air Traffic Control alerting them to the incident, and warning that the craft was expected to crash land around 3 miles east of Portumna, in Co Tipperary.

The Rescue 115 helicopter was dispatched from Shannon, and the Clare-based Killaloe Coast Guard Unit was also scrambled.

The plane was already on the ground in a large field by the time the Coast Guard helicopter arrived, minutes later, and all four occupants were found to be safe and well.

The fire, said to have been small, had extinguished itself.

Google Maps Google Maps

After speaking with authorities, the pilot and passengers of the plane made their way from the scene after calling a taxi, and headed towards Limerick.

Killaloe Coast Guard members, who were almost at the scene, were stood down by Coast Guard control.

RTÉ News reports that two parents in their 30s and their two young children were on board the plane, and that the father was piloting the craft.

(Updated at 3.20pm to clarify that the pilot spoke with authorities before leaving the scene. Apologies for lack of clarity in earlier article — DB).

Read: Careful out there… An overturned truck on the M1, and icy, icy conditions elsewhere

Read: Gridlock in UK: Cars abandoned, passengers stranded after heavy snowfall

Your Voice
Readers Comments
19
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.