Two hurt in helicopter crash near Newgrange

Two people have been injured in a helicopter crash near the Newgrange megalithic passage grave in Co Meath.

Two people have been injured in a helicopter crash near the Newgrange megalithic passage grave in Co Meath.

The BBC crew was filming in the Newgrange area this morning and were flying low when the helicopter went out of control and made what gardaí described as a "heavy landing".

The helicopter went down close to the entrance of the ancient monument just after 8 a.m. Two men were injured and taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in nearby Drogheda, Co Louth, while two other men were unhurt.

It is believed the helicopter encountered difficulties with its rear rotor blade. The scene is being sealed off and air accident investigators have been called in.

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The burial mound, which dates back to 3200 BC and predates Egypt's pyramids by six centuries, was not damaged in the incident.

A BBC spokesman said the crew was filming for a forthcoming programme called Light Story, to be broadcast next year.