Advertisement
A Coast Guard helicopter over Blacksod. Chris Radburn/AP Photo
rescue 116

Rescuers will try to lift the wreckage of Rescue 116 from the sea today

The body of Captain Mark Duffy was recovered from the wreckage of the downed aircraft over the weekend.

NAVAL SERVICE DIVERS will begin the next phase in the recovery of Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 today.

This will include attempts to lift the helicopter from the sea bed.

The body of Captain Mark Duffy was recovered from the wreckage of the downed aircraft over the weekend, however two crew members remain missing.

The remaining missing crew members are winch operator Paul Ormsby and winchman Ciarán Smith. The crew members have been missing since the Sikorsky S92 helicopter disappeared on its way to refuel at Blacksod lighthouse on 13 March.

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick was recovered from the sea and died later in hospital.

The black box flight recorder has been recovered from the wreckage and has been sent to the UK to have its contents downloaded and analysed.

The wreckage of the helicopter is some 40 metres below the sea near Blackrock lighthouse, eight miles from Blacksod in County Mayo.

The swells around the lighthouse have hampered recovery efforts, being described as ‘extremely challenging’ by searchers. It is hoped those swells will die down today to allow a search take place below the wreckage.

Read: Body recovered from Rescue 116 wreckage identified as Captain Mark Duffy

Your Voice
Readers Comments
11
    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.