Coastguard crash

[KanyesVest]

RIP Captain Fitzpatrick. She was a very impressive woman from the accounts in today's reports.

My thoughts are with her colleagues, Pilot Duffy and Winchmen Ormsby and Smith, and their families, and all involved in the search.

www.rte.ie/news/2017/0314/859533-coastguard-mayo-incident/

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

Yes, RIP Dara. I was so upset to hear the news about her today. We were in the same class in school. I was always interested in her career and admired her greatly. She was a very brave and wonderful woman.

Condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.

Also hoping for news of the rest of the crew.

[honeyrider]

A terrible tragedy, the S&R are unsung heroes who spend their lives saving others. Living beside the hospital and river I hear and see R117 usually a couple of times a week either bringing casualties to the hospital or more commonly searching the river for missing people.

My DH knew Dara and the rest of the Waterford crew, may she RIP.

[ThisIsntFunnyDean]

I can't stop thinking about her little boy. Poor baby missing his mammy.

RIP Captain Fitzgerald.

Hopefully there is some news some on the fate of the other crew members.

[Amber76]

Such a tragedy. What extraordinary and brave people they were - such a waste. I cried yesterday watching tv3 news - they had a lot of footage of Dara FitzPatrick in happier times. Normally my husband would tell me to get a grip when I cry but this time I think he was close to tears himself.

[DaffodilsinJanuary]

Name changed for this as identifying but this has been DH's job for 30 years, first military SAR and then coastguard SAR.

I feel very very sad for the four crew and their families, these people love their job and work in horrible conditions that few of us will ever see or want to see.

The media coverage here in England is negligible, shockingly little reported.

[Penfold007]

So sad, I hope they manage to recover the other three crew quickly. Shameful lack of coverage in British newspapers or media.

[RIP116]

Name change check

[RIP116]

I've name-changed too for identifying reasons too Daffodils

I've worked with Dara, and her team too, for years. I'm not crew but it's small group still.

Absolutely devastating. It's the fear we live with, others in emergency services will appreciate, that one day the rescuers will need rescued too. And that it's those Mark, Ciarán and Paul worked with, their friends, who are searching and, please god, recovering is somehow even more heartbreaking.

[KanyesVest]

Sincere condolences to all of you who know those involved. I hope there is lots of community support for everyone.

[PhyllisNefler]

So very sad. The helicopters and their crews provide us with such a vital service. Where we live, we sometimes see/hear them overhead, and I feel so grateful that they are speeding to help somebody in need. I've been close to tears, watching the coverage. Please let the others be found, let their families have some respite.

[FourToTheFloor]

I actually had a little cry on the train to work this morning reading it. True courage and true heros. RIP Dara.

[hollyisalovelyname]

My heart goes out to those affected by this tragedy.
Amazing people doing a difficult job- heroes in my eyes.
Words are useless at times like this.

[Rachel0Greep]

My heart is broken for all of those who have lost beloved family members.
I keep hoping and praying that the last two crew members will be found.
May all four of those brave, selfless people rest in peace and may their families find strength somehow to cope with their terrible losses.

[quicklydecides]

Please God they will be found.

[hollyisalovelyname]

Dreadful for the two families waiting.
Thinking of them.