Two men have died after a helicopter crashed into a farm building in Co. Westmeath.
The incident occurred near the village of Killucan at around 3.30pm this afternoon.
The casualties are an Irish man aged in his 40s and a man who is understood to be from Eastern Europe, also aged in his 40s. Both men on board the aircraft were pronounced dead at the scene.
Gardaí are liaising with the family of the Irish man and are working to establish contact with the next of kin of the second man, which may require the assistance of Interpol.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) are the lead agency investigating the cause of the crash.
“Thinking of all those involved in the Westmeath helicopter crash,” said Taoiseach Simon Harris.
“This is a live operation and I am being kept briefed. My thoughts & gratitude are also with all the emergency services working to help at this time.”
