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Body is found in plane wreckage Four bodies found in plane wreck
(about 1 hour later)
A body has been found in the wreckage of a plane which crashed on a mountainside in the Irish republic, gardai have confirmed. Four bodies have been recovered from the wreckage of a light aircraft that crashed on a mountainside in the Irish Republic, gardai have confirmed.
The plane is embedded in the ground and rescuers are having to use cutting equipment to gain access. The plane is embedded in the ground and rescuers had to use cutting equipment to gain access.
The Piper PA-28 single engine plane took off from Gloucester on Saturday morning but failed to land at Kilrush in County Kildare at noon.The Piper PA-28 single engine plane took off from Gloucester on Saturday morning but failed to land at Kilrush in County Kildare at noon.
Airport officials said four people were on board the aircraft.Airport officials said four people were on board the aircraft.
Gardai, the Irish Coastguard and Irish Aviation Authority, said wreckage had been found near Corriebrock mountain. Gardai, the Irish Coastguard and Irish Aviation Authority, said the wreckage had been found near Corriebrock mountain.
Superintendent Michael Lernihan, who co-ordinated the search for the plane, said: "What we can say is that we have discovered one body in the rear of the plane. Family members
"It crashed and the nose and front part is embedded in the ground.
"It (the plane) has to be dug out."
He said he could not confirm at this stage the gender or age.
Mountain rescue
The plane left Gloucestershire Airport at about 1000 BST on Saturday.The plane left Gloucestershire Airport at about 1000 BST on Saturday.
But the last radar sighting was at 1230 BST over the Wicklow mountains, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said.But the last radar sighting was at 1230 BST over the Wicklow mountains, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said.
Dublin air traffic control had monitored the flight before passing it over to Kilrush air traffic control a little over ten minutes before the last sighting.Dublin air traffic control had monitored the flight before passing it over to Kilrush air traffic control a little over ten minutes before the last sighting.
But it was not until 1800 BST that a relative of the pilot raised concerns about the plane's whereabouts.But it was not until 1800 BST that a relative of the pilot raised concerns about the plane's whereabouts.
It is understood three of those on board were family members, while the fourth was a friend.It is understood three of those on board were family members, while the fourth was a friend.
Gardai, the Coastguard, Defence Forces, and mountain rescue personnel from Dublin, Wicklow, Tipperary and Northern Ireland began a major search of the rugged terrain at about 0630 GMT on Sunday. Gardai, the Coastguard, defence forces, and mountain rescue personnel from Dublin, Wicklow, Tipperary and Northern Ireland began a major search of the rugged terrain at about 0630 GMT on Sunday.
It is understood up to 40 mountain rescue personnel were involved in the search, along with about 15 gardai from the north Wicklow town of Bray.It is understood up to 40 mountain rescue personnel were involved in the search, along with about 15 gardai from the north Wicklow town of Bray.
The plane wreckage was found by mountain rescue personnelThe plane wreckage was found by mountain rescue personnel
The Garda Helicopter and Dublin-based Coastguard helicopter were also called in.The Garda Helicopter and Dublin-based Coastguard helicopter were also called in.
The discovery of the wreckage was made by mountain rescue personnel who, it is understood, were acting on information provided by a hill-walker.The discovery of the wreckage was made by mountain rescue personnel who, it is understood, were acting on information provided by a hill-walker.
A statement from Glen of Imaal mountain rescue group said: "A hasty search party from [the team] have this morning located the light aircraft missing since yesterday afternoon. According to the operator of Kilrush airfield, Ian Valentine, the pilot had been using the strip for the last six or seven years to visit relatives in the nearby town of Newbridge.
"The Glen team members are currently on scene with members of the gardai, the Coastguard and Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team."
Experienced pilot
According to the operator of Kilrush airfield, Ian Valentine, the pilot had been using the strip for the last six or seven years to visit relatives in the near-by town of Newbridge.
He said he received a text message from the pilot - whom he described as experienced and in his mid-40s - earlier in the week but he would normally expect a phone call on the day of the flight.He said he received a text message from the pilot - whom he described as experienced and in his mid-40s - earlier in the week but he would normally expect a phone call on the day of the flight.
The Irish Republic's Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) confirmed the wreckage was that of the missing aircraft.The Irish Republic's Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) confirmed the wreckage was that of the missing aircraft.
Chief Inspector of Air Accidents Jurgen Whyte said: "We have two teams responding. The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AIIB) has begun an investigation.
"One has already responded by air on an Air Corps helicopter from Baldonnel. They are on site at the moment. We have another team arriving by road with equipment."