THE bodies of three English pilots have been recovered from the wreckage of a Sikorsky helicopter belonging to Norbrook Laboratories, which crashed into a mountain near Omeath, Co Louth.

The SK76 helicopter left Belfast International airport at Aldergrove after 6 p.m. on Thursday en route to the home of Senator Edward Haughey, head of the agricultural pharmaceutical company, Norbrook Laboratories, near Kilkeel, Co Down. The last contact with the craft was 10 minutes later.

The pilots were due to stay in Kilkeel overnight. The helicopter was reported missing only when it had not returned to Aldergrove this morning.

A land, sea and air search was quickly mounted involving the RUC, Garda, the British and Irish armies, RAF, Irish Air Corps and coastguards. It was called off at 3.20 p.m. yesterday when the wreckage of the SK76 was discovered by an Air Corps helicopter at Raven's Rock on Carlingford Mountain, west of Omeath.

Two bodies were found in the wreckage by the rescue crew, and the third nearby. Gardai and a mountain rescue team were last night climbing to the scene to recover the bodies. The names of the dead are not being released until their families are notified.

The helicopter was registered to Norbrook Laboratories, which is owned by Dr Haughey. Last night he said he was "absolutely devastated" to learn of the crash. He extended his deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the dead men.

An investigation has begun involving Irish authorities and British aviation officials.

Garda Supt Brian O'Higgins said the SK76 appeared to have strayed about three miles off course in the Carlingford Lough area, but why it crashed remained unclear. He described the accident as a "terrible tragedy".

It is understood the helicopter was equipped with the latest navigation and radio equipment and that it had a voice recorder, which will aid the investigation.