The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that at least four Irish people were on board the plane that crashed at the Thai resort of Phuket yesterday, killing 88 passengers.
One of the four was reported missing last night. Another was in intensive care and consul officials were attempting to confirm his nationality. Reports indicated that the young man missing was from Derry and he was named as Aaron Toland of Hazelbank; his friend, Conor Cooley from Creggan Road, was injured. Both young men had taken a year off after university to travel.
Some 88 of the 123 passengers and seven crew on board were killed when budget airline One-Two-Go flight OG269 crashed at Phuket International Airport shortly after 3.30pm yesterday afternoon. Forty-two people were injured and were last night being treated in hospitals in Phuket for fractures and burns. Five of the victims were being treated in intensive care.
The plane, flying from Don Muang airport in Bangkok, crashed into trees and burst into flames after skidding off the runway in strong winds, heavy rain, and poor visibility. Witnesses said that the aircraft broke in two as it landed.
John O'Donnell, an Irish survivor, told Sky News he was sitting in row 18 when the aircraft came in to land. "As the plane was landing you could tell it was in trouble because it landed and came up again a second time," he said.
"It smashed off the runway and the next thing I knew everything was on fire and I loosened my strap. I couldn't find my friend and I got out through the exit onto the wing."
He said his friend was on the outside, and also survived, though he was in surgery last night. His friend was named as William Burke.
Mr O'Donnell suffered from burns and a back injury as well as extensive bruising.
Last night, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Ireland's honorary consul in Phuket was visiting hospitals to establish the whereabouts of any Irish citizens who may have been on the flight. "Embassy officials have spoken to two survivors and contacted their families," he said. "They are attempting to identify any others."
Udom Tantiprasongchai, chairman of Orient Thai, One-Two-Go's parent company, said the plane was being flown by an experienced foreign pilot. He told Thai television that there would be a full investigation into the cause of the accident.
