A helicopter pilot crashed yesterday on his way to pick up a newly married couple in Co Offaly.
The pilot, who was the only occupant of the helicopter, was not injured in the incident, which took place at about 4pm near Kinnitty.
He was on his way to a field in the village to pick up a couple, Damien and Wendy Hussey, who had just been married in the local church.
He was to take them to the reception at Rackett Hall in Roscrea, Co Tipperary.
He crashed about 500 metres from where the wedding party were assembled.
“We heard the chopper very close and it was very low to the ground,” said eyewitness Micheal Coughlan.
“Then we heard a thud and we heard some metal breaking. We jumped in a car and drove to the site and there was the pilot getting out of the plane.
“He had only a scratch on his arm. It is remarkable how unscathed he was given what happened.”
