This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8098544.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Inquiry follows fatal plane crash Inquiry follows fatal plane crash
(20 minutes later)
An investigation is under way 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, all died. They were from 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 farmers rushed to the scene of the crash in the Belmont Road area of Kilkeel.Local farmers rushed to the scene of the crash in the Belmont Road area of Kilkeel.
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 aircraft Andrew Burden, Stephen Annett and Hugh McKnight were from Annalong
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.
Fire Officer John Denvir said the plane came down in a remote area Andrew Burden and Stephen Annett were passengers on the light aircraft
"We are left with the reality of three devastated families, and many heartbroken lives... many tears being shed at this time.""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.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."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.It is the second air crash in the area in the space of two weeks. In the previous incident, two men survived.