Two men dead is horror helicopter crash in Ireland after aircraft seen 'struggling'

Two men in their 40s have died in a helicopter crash at a rural farm near Killucan, Co. Westmeath .

One man was an Irish national and the other is thought to have been for Eastern Europe.

Emergency services, including the Gardai , rushed to the scene, with the alarm having been raised at 3.30pm on Tuesday.

Police are still trying to contact the family of the second man, and may need help from Interpol.

Both bodies have been taken to Regional Hospital Mullingar for post mortems.

Speaking to RTE , Father Stan Deegan, Parish Priest of St Brigid's Church in Raharney said he was "shocked to hear the news".

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Reports from the scene suggested the helicopter crashed into a farm building.

"Whoever the people are who are involved in the incident and wherever they are from, I hope and pray that life will be spared.

"It is a serious event and you would worry for the families involved.

"The local community is a very hospitable one, with a good community spirit and the people here would respond to local needs," Fr Deegan said.

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Initial reports suggest that the helicopter may have collided with a building. It is believed that the crash site is located behind the local GAA club.

This is a developing story

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