A multi-agency operation is underway in County Westmeath after a helicopter crash near the village of Killucan.
Emergency services and Gardaí were sent to the scene at around 3.30pm this afternoon.
The single-engine helicopter is a civilian aircraft. and is believed to have originated from Weston Airport and travelled west.
The aircraft came down in a rural area on farmland next to Ratharney GAA Club, with the helicopter seen protruding from the roof of a farm building.
It is believed nobody on the farm has been injured.
![The farmland where the helicopter came down in Co Westmeath, 30-7-24](https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2024/07/30154524/Westmeath-helicopter-crash.jpeg)
Acting Chief Fire Officer with Westmeath Fire and Rescue Service Pat Hunt earlier told Midlands Radio they believe a number of people are involved.
"We understand that it's an incident involving a helicopter crashing into a building in the Joristown Upper Townland in Killucan, Co Westmeath," he said.
"We have all the principal response agencies are mobilising to the scene: An Garda Síochána, the Ambulance Service and ourselves.
"What we can understand is that there are a number of casualties involved, but again, we cannot at this stage confirm the number."
It is not known what caused the crash or where the helicopter was flying to.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) says it is aware of the incident.
"The AAIU has been notified of an accident involving a single-engine helicopter near Killucan, Co Westmeath this afternoon," it says in a statement to Newstalk.
"The AAIU is deploying a team of inspectors at this time," it adds.
The helicopter is believed to be UK-owned.