Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Pilot & boy, 7, die in parachute jump plane
bodies of a pilot and a seven-year-old boy were recovered last night after a light aircraft crashed in bogland.
The plane had taken up a group of parachutists before tragedy struck near Clonbollogue, Co Offaly.
A Garda spokesman said: “All 16 made their jump from the craft. However, witnesses then saw the aircraft crash shortly afterwards.”
It’s understood the pilot is from the UK and the boy is the child of a member of the parachute club.
Ireland’s Air Accident Investigation team will continue its inquiry this morning.
A Garda spokesman told the Mirror: “Gardai and emergency services are at the scene of an aircraft crash close to Clonbulthe logue, Co Offaly. At 2.25pm on Sunday 13th May 2018 an aircraft took off from Clonbullogue Airfield with 16 parachutists on board.”
Local Councillor Noel Cribbin told how light aircraft are frequently seen in the area.
He said: “It’s a highly well-run parachute club and service out in Clonbullogue for about 35 years.
“Its a very well-respected business and very well used. Particularly in the summer months with aircraft over Edenderry and Clonbullogue nearly seven days a week.
“It’s an unfortunate thing to hear about, but in that game, things happen like that.”
Efforts to recover the wreckage – which is believed to have crashed 12 feet deep into the bog – were ongoing late last night.