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Inquiry follows fatal plane crash Inquiry follows fatal plane crash
(about 1 hour later)
An investigation has begun into a plane crash in County Down in which three men were killed. An investigation is under way into a plane crash in County Down in which three men were killed.
The light aircraft crashed in a field and burst into flames near a private airstrip in Kilkeel at about 2100 BST on Friday.The light aircraft crashed in a field and burst into flames near a private airstrip in Kilkeel at about 2100 BST on Friday.
Pilot Hugh McKnight, a 54-year-old retired police officer, and passengers Steven Annett and Andrew Burden, both 24, were from the village of Annalong. Pilot Hugh McKnight, a 54-year-old retired police officer, and passengers Steven Annett and Andrew Burden, both 24, all died. They were from Annalong.
It is understood they were returning from the Isle of Man TT races.It is understood they were returning from the Isle of Man TT races.
Local people said it was misty at the time of the crash in the Belmont Road area. Local farmers rushed to the scene of the crash in the Belmont Road area of Kilkeel.
Farmers who live nearby rushed to the scene. They said wreckage from the small plane was scattered across the field, but there was nothing they could do for the occupants. They said wreckage from the small plane was scattered across the field, but there was nothing they could do for the occupants.
Andrew Burden and Stephen Annett were passengers on the light aircraftAndrew Burden and Stephen Annett were passengers on the light aircraft
John Denvir from the Fire and Rescue Service said the plane had crashed in a remote location.John Denvir from the Fire and Rescue Service said the plane had crashed in a remote location.
"We, unfortunately, found a light aircraft which had come down short of the runway here and crashed into a field," he said."We, unfortunately, found a light aircraft which had come down short of the runway here and crashed into a field," he said.
"There were three people on board and, unfortunately, those three people were fatalities at the scene.""There were three people on board and, unfortunately, those three people were fatalities at the scene."
Local Presbyterian Minister Reverend Stuart Finlay said there was a "tremendous sense of numbness" throughout the whole community.Local Presbyterian Minister Reverend Stuart Finlay said there was a "tremendous sense of numbness" throughout the whole community.
"Everyone who is talking about it just can't believe that this has happened," he said."Everyone who is talking about it just can't believe that this has happened," he said.
"Yesterday was a good day and this morning is a lovely morning and yet, we are left with the reality of three devastated families, and many heartbroken lives... many tears being shed at this time." Fire Officer John Denvir said the plane came down in a remote area
It is the second air crash in the area in the space of two weeks. In the previous incident, two men survived. "We are left with the reality of three devastated families, and many heartbroken lives... many tears being shed at this time."
Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister said Mr McKnight had worked for the party in the run-up to the European election and represented the TUV at Annalong Primary School on polling day.
"I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Mr McKnight. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time," he said.
Local councillor Henry Reilly said there were two airstrips within a mile of each other.Local councillor Henry Reilly said there were two airstrips within a mile of each other.
"There are so many people involved in light aircraft flying now and it's generally a safe occupation," he said."There are so many people involved in light aircraft flying now and it's generally a safe occupation," he said.
"Within the last year we have had three crashes within half a mile of where I'm standing so it obviously has its hazards. This has been particularly bad.""Within the last year we have had three crashes within half a mile of where I'm standing so it obviously has its hazards. This has been particularly bad."
It is the second air crash in the area in the space of two weeks. In the previous incident, two men survived.