Four hospitalised after light aircraft crash lands on Co Wexford beach

Four people were taken to hospital after a light aircraft crash landed on a beach in Co Wexford on Thursday evening.

The passengers, who were suspected of incurring head and spinal injuries, were evacuated from the scene at a beach just west of Carnsore Point in Co Wexford.

The incident occurred at about 5.10pm but it is not yet clear what brought the aircraft down.

Gardaí said those on board comprised two men aged in their 20s and 50s and two women in their 30s. Their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

The Irish Coastguard said its Marine Rescue Coordination Centre in Dublin was alerted to the emergency when the aircraft was approximately 20 miles off the southeast coast.

“Shortly afterwards it was confirmed that the aircraft conducted an emergency landing on the Burrow Beach, two miles west of Carnsore Point,” it said.

“The four casualties were assisted on scene and two were transported to hospital by Coastguard helicopters and two by HSE ambulance.”

The Dublin and Waterford based helicopters R117 and R116 were dispatched to the scene as well as the Carnsore/ Rosslare Coastguard unit and the Dunmore East Lifeboat. HSE ambulance paradmics and gardai were also scrambled.

The scene was preserved and both the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) have been notified.

An advance paramedic at the scene conducted a preliminary examination of the passengers. Two were evacuated by Coastguard helicopters while the other two were taken away by ambulance.

Those being airlifted would have suffered more severe injuries and were being transferred to hospital from Waterford Airport.

An investigation into the circumstances of the crash is now under way and will fall under the authority of the AAIU.

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