Skydivers in crash after plane departs Abbeyshrule

by Eilís Ryan

 

Air accident investigators are expected to attend at the scene of a light aircraft crash that happened close to Abbeyshrule airfield eariler today.

No-one was injured in the crash, which involved what is believed to be a single-engined Cessna 206 with a number of skydivers on board.

The accident happened at around 1.30 pm, just minutes after the plane had taken off from the airfield in Abbeyshrule.

The plane - believed to be a UK-registered craft - is understood to have suffered engine trouble, but the pilot managed to glide it a safe landing in a field at Colehill, about 3km from Abbeyshrule.  The plane suffered some damage in the landing process.

It is understood a number of people were to make charity jumps today in Abbeyshrule, and that there was a film crew present to film their experience.