Multiple serious injuries have been reported after a helicopter crashed into a building in the Republic of Ireland.
The crash happened at around 3.30pm in Killucan, County Westmeath, and Gardaí, local police, and other emergency services are at the scene.
The local fire service says there was ‘a number of casualties’ but have not confirmed the exact number.
Speaking on the Midlands 103 radio station, acting chief fire officer at Westmeath Fire and Rescue Service, Pat Hunt, said: ‘We understand that it’s an incident involving a helicopter crashing into a building in the Joristown Upper townland in Killucan, Co Westmeath.
‘All the the principal response agencies are mobilising to the scene: An Garda Siochana, the ambulance service and ourselves.
‘What we can understand is that there are a number of casualties involved, but again, we cannot at this stage confirm the number.’
It’s thought that the helicopter involved in the crash was a Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, which was tracked flying in a circle by flightradar.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) for Ireland said: ‘The AAIU has been notified of an accident involving a single-engine helicopter near Killucan Co Westmeath this afternoon.
‘The AAIU is deploying a team of inspectors at this time. Further updates will be provided when available.’
It appears the helicopter crashed into a farm building, but the exact location has not yet been confirmed by emergency services.
Gardai said in a short statement: ‘Gardai and emergency services are currently at the scene of an incident involving a helicopter at a location near Killucan, Co Westmeath which occurred at approximately 3.30pm.
‘As this is a live and ongoing operation, no further information is available at this time.’
Mayor of Mullingar-Kinnegad Municipal District, Ken Glynn, described the incident as ‘shocking and tragic’.
He told RTE: ‘I’m surprised and shocked, it’s not something you would expect to hear in your own locality.
‘It is a difficult scene for emergency services to be attending.’
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