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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Irish coastguard helicopter goes missing with four crew members on board | Irish coastguard helicopter goes missing with four crew members on board |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A major search is underway for an Irish coastguard helicopter that went down off the west coast of Ireland, as fears mount for three missing crew members. | A major search is underway for an Irish coastguard helicopter that went down off the west coast of Ireland, as fears mount for three missing crew members. |
| It had been providing safety and communications support for another helicopter involved in an overnight rescue operation when contact was lost at around 1am. | It had been providing safety and communications support for another helicopter involved in an overnight rescue operation when contact was lost at around 1am. |
| One of the four crew members on board was located and pulled from the water at around 7am and was taken to hospital in a critical condition. | One of the four crew members on board was located and pulled from the water at around 7am and was taken to hospital in a critical condition. |
| Eugene Clonan, acting director of the Irish coastguard, said colleagues “don't hold out much hope” for the rescued person. | |
| “And indeed, at this particular point in time, hopes are fading of finding the remainder of the crew,” he added. | |
| Mr Clonan said it was a “dark day” for Ireland's emergency services, adding: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families at this time.” | |
| Debris has been discovered on the surface of the water around one and half miles south-east of Blacksod Lighthouse, which is around six miles off the coast. | |
| The helicopter had flown directly to the scene from Dublin, travelled around 10 miles out to sea, then turned back towards land to refuel. | |
| There was no indication that anything was wrong moments before it vanished, with the crew's final transmission at around 12.45am: “Shortly landing at Blacksod.” | |
| When the helicopter failed to arrive, a mayday signal went out and the search began. | |
| Coastguard helicopters from Sligo and Shannon, lifeboats, local fishing vessels and Air Corps maritime patrol aircraft are involved in ongoing missions off the coast of County Mayo. | |
| A spokesperson for the Irish coastguard said the missing helicopter had been providing cover in the evacuation of a crewman on a UK-registered fishing vessel who required urgent medical attention, approximately 150 miles west of Eagle Island. | A spokesperson for the Irish coastguard said the missing helicopter had been providing cover in the evacuation of a crewman on a UK-registered fishing vessel who required urgent medical attention, approximately 150 miles west of Eagle Island. |
| "Owing to the distance involved, safety and communication support, known as Top Cover, was provided by the second Coast Guard helicopter, the Dublin based R116,” he said. | "Owing to the distance involved, safety and communication support, known as Top Cover, was provided by the second Coast Guard helicopter, the Dublin based R116,” he said. |
| "The search operation is being coordinated by the Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centre in Malin Head. | "The search operation is being coordinated by the Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centre in Malin Head. |
| "Both helicopters refuelled at Blacksod prior to transiting to the scene." | "Both helicopters refuelled at Blacksod prior to transiting to the scene." |
| Declan Geoghegan, the Irish coastguard's operations manager, said it was unclear what caused the helicopter to go down and an air accident investigation would establish the cause.. | |
| “We'll continue to search for the missing crew members until such time as we have recovered them and the flight recorder," he told BBC Radio Foyle. | |
| Shane Ross, the Irish transport minister, expressed his ”deep concern“ over the Dublin-based helicopter's disappearance. | Shane Ross, the Irish transport minister, expressed his ”deep concern“ over the Dublin-based helicopter's disappearance. |
| "As the search for the Dublin-based helicopter R116 is currently under way I would like to express my sincere support and sympathies for all those involved, particularly those family members who are awaiting news of their loved ones,” he said. | "As the search for the Dublin-based helicopter R116 is currently under way I would like to express my sincere support and sympathies for all those involved, particularly those family members who are awaiting news of their loved ones,” he said. |
| "This is an extremely difficult time for all concerned." | "This is an extremely difficult time for all concerned." |
| No storms or extreme weather conditions were reported in the area at the time of the aircraft’s disappearance, although visibility was described as low. | |
| Additional reporting by PA | Additional reporting by PA |