Two separate investigations are underway into an incident at the Salthill Air Show in which three people were injured after a door fell off a RAF helicopter while it was flying over watching crowds.
PA composite image showing the door of an RAF Merlin helicopter falling amongst the crowd during the Salthill International Airshow in Galway yesterday.
The injured, thought to include a male Polish national and two women, were standing on a beach when the door fell from about 150 feet. They were taken to University College Hospital with head and back injuries.
The helicopter has been removed to Galway airport where it was expected to undergo a full technical examination.
Eyewitnesses at the show said the Merlin helicopter was hovering over a seaside hotel when a side door fell off and plunged into a large crowd below.
The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it will launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding yesterday's incident.
"We regret any injuries that were caused and an inquiry will take place to establish what happened," said an MoD spokeswoman.
The three injured spectators were taken to University College Hospital Galway. It is understood they have now been discharged.
Liam McBurney, a photographer who was capturing the event from the top of a hotel, said panic erupted as around 100 people scattered from the shoreline.
"The door fell off and was just like a piece of paper floating in the wind," he said.
"It floated over the promenade and crashed into the beach before bouncing about five to ten feet into the air and landing again."
Mr McBurney said the air show had just finished and the area was thronged with people when the incident happened.
He said the pilot of the EH Industries Merlin HC3 appeared to be attempting a manoeuvre over a hotel and towards the beach when the door ripped free.
The helicopter, which was on static display during the Salthill Air Show, is normally based at 28 Squadron at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.
It was incorrectly reported earlier that the Irish Aviation Authority would be investigating. The incident will, in fact, be investigated by the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of the Department of Transport, which will issue its own report in due course.
The Irish Aviation Authority issues permits for such airshows, but it is understood it was not IAA staff who provided the air traffic control (ATC) service for the show in Salthill.
Additional reporting: PA