Two men confirmed dead after helicopter crashed into farm building in Co Westmeath

Gardaí have confirmed that the two men who were in the helicopter which crashed near Killucan, Co. Westmeath this afternoon died at the scene.

The incident happened near Killucan, near Joristown, at around 3.30pm.

The area, with a population of a few hundred people, is roughly 15km from Mullingar.

The helicopter had been certified as flightworthy in the last 12 months, and had taken a short successful flight this morning.

In a statement this evening, a garda spokesperson confirmed that the two people on board the aircraft "were pronounced deceased at the scene".

Gardaí are now liaising with the family of one of the victim's families. The victim was an Irish man in his forties.

Gardaí also confirmed that they are continuing "to establish contact" with the next of kin of the second victim, a man in his forties who is understood to be from Eastern Europe. The assistance of Interpol may be used to contact the man's family.

Both bodies have been removed from the scene to Regional Hospital Mullingar where post mortems will take place in due course. The local Coroner has been notified.

Westmeath Fire and Rescue Service and the National Ambulance Service have now left the scene.

FlightRadar, which tracks the paths of planes and helicopters, shows that the helicopter took off from Weston Airport at around 2pm today, and then travelled west towards Maynooth. It circled once north of Kinnegad, before disappearing from tracking data north of Kinnegad, close to Raharney, at 3.24pm.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) is the authority for investigating air accidents and serious incidents in Ireland and are the lead agency investigating this aircraft incident.

The scene will remain persevered overnight to allow for this investigation to take place.

An Garda Síochána will assist the AAIU by providing any technical and/or forensic services which may be required in the course of their investigation.

Westmeath Sinn Fein Councillor David Jones told Midlands 103 that the community is shocked by the incident.

"It's a small, very close community, so something like this would have a devastating impact on the local areas. I'm sure the local communities are in shock at the moment, and their thoughts are with all involved".

The Mayor of Mullingar-Kinnegad Municipal District Ken Glynn told RTÉ that the incident was "shocking and tragic".

"I'm surprised and shocked, it's not something you would expect to hear in your own locality."

He added that his thoughts and prayers are with the families of those involved in the incident and the first responders.

READ MORE - BREAKING: Local communities 'in shock' as first photo emerges of helicopter crash in Westmeath