Breaking: Two people seriously injured as light aircraft crashes close to Kildare/Offaly border

A man and a seven-year-old boy have been critically injured following a light aircraft crash in Co Offaly earlier this afternoon.

Gardaí and emergency services are at the scene of an aircraft crash close to Clonbullogue, Co. Offaly.  It is being reported that two people, a man and a 7-year-old boy, have been seriously injured when their plane came down after taking off from the Irish Parachute Club in Clonbullogue earlier this afternoon.

In a statement, An Garda Siochana confirmed that at 2.25pm on Sunday 13th May 2018 an aircraft took off from Clonbullogue Airfield with 16 parachutists on board.

All 16 made their jump from the craft. However, witnesses then saw the aircraft crash shortly afterwards. There were two people on board, the pilot and a seven-year-old boy. The pilot is believed to be a UK National.

According to Gardaí, the plane was later located a number of kilometres from the airfield crashed in bogland. A rescue/recovery operation is under way and there is no confirmation of any deaths at this point in time.

It is understood the crash occurred between Edenderry and Daingean.

Emergency services are currently attending the scene and it's understood the injured are being removed to Tullamore Hospital. The crash happened in an area of bog and woodland, near the Mountlucas wind farm.

The aircraft took off from the airstrip at Clonbullogue and went down in an area between Edenderry and Daingean.

Emergency services remain at the scene and motorists are urged to exercise caution when in the area.