Sister leads tributes to ‘brave’ Captain Dara Fitzpatrick who died in rescue helicopter crash as Coastguard prays for recovery of rest of missing crew
Authorities admit hopes are fading of finding the remaining three crew members alive following crash
THE "devastated" family of an Irish coastguard helicopter pilot killed following a crash in the Atlantic last night paid a heartbreaking tribute to her.
Captain Dara Fitzpatrick was plucked from the sea with "critical injuries" after the accident at 1am yesterday morning and later died in hospital.
Three other crew members of the chopper remain missing with hopes of finding them "fading fast".
Today, Dara's sister Niamh wrote: "My brave sister Capt Dara Fitzpatrick lost her life in crash.
"We are devastated. Please pray for recovery of 3 remaining crew."
A frantic search is under way after the Search and Rescue helicopter lost contact at around 1am on Tuesday.
But Coast Guard Chief Eugene Clonan has said "hopes are fading" of finding three more crew members.
President Michael D Higgins led tributes, saying it was a "dark day in the history of the Coast Guard".
He added: "On behalf of the people of Ireland, may I pay tribute to Captain Dara Fitzpatrick who died today.
"My thoughts are with her family at this difficult moment and also with the families of the missing crew."
Fitzpatrick, 45, was plucked from the sea at about 7am this morning. She had been with the search and rescue service for more than 20 years.
Mark Abbey, regional director for CHC, the company which operates the helicopters for the Coast Guard, said: "It is with deepest regret that we can confirm that Captain Dara Fitzpatrick passed away following today's accident off the coast of County Mayo in the early hours of this morning.
"We are devastated by this morning's tragic accident. Our thoughts are with Dara's family and friends, as well as those of the three crew who are still missing.
"The extensive search and rescue mission is ongoing."
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Debris of the aircraft has been discovered about six miles off the coast.
Mr Clonan earlier said: "At this particular point in time, hopes are fading of finding the remainder of the crew."
Three more people are still missing with teams searching 10km west of Black Sod in County Mayo.
Mr Clonan said it was a "dark day" for Ireland's emergency services adding "our thoughts and prayers are with the families at this time".
The Dublin-based R116 helicopter had been providing cover for another helicopter off the Mayo coast before contact was lost.
SAR Helicopters from Sligo and Shannon involved in the search, along with an Aer Corps Casa, Ballyglass and Achill all weather lifeboats and five local fishing vessels.
A Coast Guard spokesman said the missing helicopter had been providing cover in the evacuation of a crewman who needed urgent medical attention, from a UK-registered fishing vessel approximately 150 miles west of Eagle Island in Co Mayo.
He added: "Owing to the distance involved, safety and communication support, known as Top Cover, was provided by the second Coast Guard helicopter, the Dublin based R116," he said.
"The search operation is being coordinated by the Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centre in Malin Head.
"Both helicopters refuelled at Blacksod prior to transiting to the scene."
Captain Dara Fitzpatrick
Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, the first named victim of the Coast Guard crash, was a ground-breaking pilot well known for her starring role in a fly-on-the-wall television show about the life-saving service.
The 45-year-old Dubliner had been carrying out search and rescue missions for more than two decades and was recognised with honours and a place in the aviation history books.
Ms Fitzpatrick received an award in 2010 for her role in rescuing a stricken pilot when his light aircraft crashed into the Irish Sea.
The same year she co-starred in Rescue 117, a fly-on-the-wall documentary series on State broadcaster RTE, given behind the scenes access to the Irish Coast Guard's helicopter search and rescue service.
Just three years ago, she flew into the Irish aviation history books when, as one of two female Coast Guard pilots, she piloted the first all-woman mission for the service.
The pair flew a cardiac patient from west Co Cork to Cork University Hospital before transferring a critically-ill five-year-old child from the hospital to Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin.
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD has expressed deep concern at the news this morning.
He said: "As the search for the Dublin based helicopter R116 is currently underway I would like to express my sincere support and sympathies for all those involved, particularly those family members who are awaiting news of their loved ones.
"This is an extremely difficult time for all concerned.
"As we await further information I would like to appeal for space to be given to the relevant professionals involved in the search operation to complete their work.
"Once again, I send my utmost support to all those affected."
Greg Dewhurst, senior forecaster with the Met Office, said there were no unusual weather patterns overnight in the Atlantic between the west coast of Ireland and the reported location of the fishing vessel.
He said: "There were no frontal systems bringing heavy rain.
"Generally it looks like there were some light south-westerly winds.
"There was quite a bit of cloud around but there were no stormy conditions."
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