The funeral of the Irish man killed in a traffic accident in Mexico is to take place on Wednesday in Ballina, Co Mayo.
The remains of Ambrose Blaine (55), a married father of three daughters who came from Killala, have begun their journey home from Mexico City, travelling via Turkey. They are expected to arrive at Dublin Airport on Monday at 9.25am on Turkish Airlines flight 1975 from Istanbul.
Mr Blaine, a pilot working as a consultant to Turkish Airlines, died on Monday morning when a vehicle failed to stop at a junction in Ciudad Constitution, a city about two and a half hours north of La Paz, in the Mexican state of Baja California. He was thrown from his motorbike and sustained head injuries.
Together with three friends, Mr Blaine had been riding the Pan-American Highway, from southern Argentina to Alaska in stages annually since 2016, this year’s stage starting on November 6th.
Mr Blaine was an experienced biker and a pilot of long standing, having worked previously with Iona Airways, Ryanair and Emirates. He was also known for his charitable work, which included last year helping deliver fire brigades and ambulances to Uganda.
After clearing formalities at the Airport, Mr Blaine’s remains will be taken to the Airport Mortuary to be met by his family and where friends may pay their respects.
He will also be reposing at McGowans Funeral Home in Ballina on Tuesday afternoon, with the funeral set for 11am on Wednesday in St Muredachs Cathedral Ballina.
Mr Blaine is survived by his wife Anne, daughters Aoibhin, Niamh, Anna Rose and his five-year-old grandson, Cillian.
