Family's grief after plane tragedy
DEEP SHOCK FOLLOWING DEATH OF PADDY (26) IN NEW ZEALAND
Patrick Byrne, who was tragically killed in a plane crash in New Zealand; left, a map showing Fox Glacier, the airport where the accident occured
Related Articles
THE CLOSE-knit community of Askamore has rallied around the family of a young local man who tragically lost his life in a plane crash in New Zealand on Saturday. Patrick (Paddy) Byrne of Brideswell (26), who was on a working holiday in New Zealand, died when a skydiving plane on which he was a passenger crashed at the end of the runway at Fox Glacier Airport on the country's South Island. He was one of nine people who lost their lives in the crash.
His parents Hugh and Breda, his brothers Mark and Davy, and his sister Laura were this week being comforted by family, friends and neighbours as they struggle to come to terms with their terrible loss. Friends recalled a young man who lived life to the full.
Arrangements to bring him home are being coordinated through the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Honorary Consul in New Zealand. It could be the weekend or early next week before he is home. A 26-YEAR-OLD Askamore man was among nine victims of New Zealand's worst plane crash in almost twenty years at the weekend.
Patrick (Paddy) Byrne, son of Hugh and Breda of Brideswell, and brother of Mark, Davy and Laura, had just arrived in New Zealand three weeks ago to begin a year of travelling and working.
He had been taking part in a bus tour of various attractions around the south island, when the skydiving plane on which he was a passenger, crashed at the end of the runway at Fox Glacier Airport on the country's south island.
His family now face an agonising wait as arrangements are made for him to be repatriated from New Zealand. The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Honorary Consul in New Zealand are working with local authorities to make arrangements, but it is believed it could take until early next week before he is brought home.
News of his passing in the tragedy shocked and stunned the local community in Askamore and Carnew, where he was a well liked and respected young man.
Family, friends and neighbours have flocked to the family home throughout the weekend, as they struggle to come to terms with his devastating loss.
Friends this week recalled a fun loving young man who was always up for a challenge.
- FINTAN LAMBE
