An Irish pilot has died in a traffic crash in Mexico.
Ambrose Blaine (55) a married father of three who came from Killala in Co Mayo, but was living in Malahide, Co Dublin, died in a collision with a vehicle that apparently failed to stop at a junction in Ciudad Constitution.
This city is about two and a half hours north of La Paz, in the Mexican state of Baja California.
Mr Blaine, who had been working in a consultancy capacity for Turkish Airlines, was riding a motorcycle at the time of the crash.
The incident happened at about 7.20am on Monday, local time. It is believed Mr Blaine suffered severe head injuries and, despite the efforts of a hospital neurosurgeon in La Paz Baja California Sur, did not regain consciousness.
Mr Blaine and three Irish companions were biking the Baja Peninsula as part of a journey, begun in 2016 and which was taking them in stages annually from southern Argentina to Alaska, travelling the Pan-American Highway.
The four bikers left Ireland in November 6th to pick up where they left off last year and hoped to enter the United States on this leg of the journey, biking for 25 days.
It is understood Mr Blaine and the others had left their overnight accommodation early on Monday and were going for coffee when the crash happened.
John O’Kelly, who was travelling with him, said he was devastated by what had happened.
“Ambrose was a really great guy. Full of fun and laughter and very well-known in all walks of life, particularly aviation circles. We are all just devastated and are thinking of his family,” said Mr O’Kelly.
Mexico police are investigating the accident and it is understood that the Irish embassy in Mexico city is assisting the three bikers. Considerable formalities will have to be gone through before Mr Blaine’s remains can be repatriated to Ireland.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of the case and providing consular assistance.
Neither Mr O’Kelly nor the other two bikers in the party were injured in the crash.
Mr Blaine is survived by his wife, Ann and his daughters, Aoibhin, Niamh, Anna and grandson Cillian.
