Tributes to ‘highly regarded’ Cork pilot killed in road crash

A Cork pilot killed in an road crash in Co Limerick was a "popular and highly regarded member of staff" at Stobart Air.

Denis Metcalfe (25) from Copstown, Mallow, Co Cork died in a single vehicle crash on the N20 Limerick to Cork road at Ballyphillip, Banogue, Co Limerick, shortly before midnight on Sunday night.

Gardaí­ believe the driver may have suffered a heart attack before the vehicle he was driving, a black Peugeot, hit a pole.

Mr Metcalfe, a former flight instructor, was a first officer pilot with Stobart Air, which was formerly Aer Arann.

The airline operator paid tribute to Mr Metcalfe, who joined Stobart Air on March 31st this year and quickly made a ‘positive impact.’

“Everyone at Stobart Air is deeply saddened by the tragic passing last night of our colleague, First Officer Denis Metcalfe,” the company said it a statement.

“A former flight instructor at the Atlantic Flight Training Centre, Denis successfully completed his pilot training and was assigned to our Shannon Airport base.”

“He quickly became a very popular and highly regarded member of staff. In his short time with us, Denis made a positive impact with everyone who worked with him. His skills as a pilot had already marked him out as a highly talented professional, with a promising career ahead,” the statement said.

Mr Metcalfe was treated by an off-duty nurse who came upon the scene in the aftermath of the crash, according to gardaí.

A post mortem was due to get underway this morning at University Hospital Limerick.

Gardaí­ believe Mr Metcalfe was travelling home to Mallow from Shannon Airport where he had been on a pilot training course.

The road, which was closed for several hours to allow a Garda forensic collision investigator examine the scene, has since reopened.

Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to contact them at Newcastle West Garda station on 069-20650, The Garda Confidential Line 1800 666111 or any Garda station.

His death brings to four the number of people killed in road crashes over the weekend.