A post-mortem examination will be carried out today on the body of a 17-year-old youth who died when he was struck by the propellor of a microlite aircraft on which he was working in a field near Kilworth, Co Cork, last night. The aircraft accident investigation unit of the Department of Public Enterprise is carrying out an inquiry.
The accident occurred at 8.20 p.m. in the townland of Macroney between Fermoy and Mitchelstown. According to investigating gardai, the teenager and a neighbour, who owned the aircraft, were working on it on the owner's property, about two miles from the village of Kilworth.
The pilot was trying out the engine of the single-seater flexiwing aircraft, which is described as being like a hanglider with an engine. It appears that the youth who died became entangled in the propellor and suffered serious injuries. His friend raised the alarm, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The body of the youth was removed to Cork University Hospital, where the post-mortem will be carried out today.