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A BRITISH SEARCH and rescue contractor has named its latest helicopter after Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who died in the Rescue 116 tragedy earlier this year.
Fitzpatrick was one of four crew members who died in the crash at Blacksod in Co Mayo earlier this year. Her body was recovered shortly afterwards.
The body of pilot Mark Duffy was found in the wreckage of the helicopter some weeks later.
The bodies of winch operator Paul Ormsby (53) and winchman Ciarán Smith (38) have yet to be recovered.
Heli Operations said it had a long working relationship supporting the Irish Coast Guard, and many of its crews had worked with Dara Fitzpatrick.
The new ZA166 helicopter will be called “Dara”.
Fitzpatrick’s sister Niamh said the family had been touched by the gesture from the company.
She said: “From the first day she flew a heli, Dara utterly loved it. This is a lovely gesture in tribute to her. Thank you.”
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what about her colleagues? Do they not get remembered?
@Mary Murphy:
She was the captain and a trailblazer for female pilots in this country. It would be a bit of a mouthful to include all of their names on the aircraft. I’m sure they can make a dedication to them in some other way
@Mary Murphy: someone has to be first I suppose.
@Mary Murphy: what about, what about, what about. I’m sure the families and friends of the other heroes that died are delighted for this as well. And I’m positive the others will be remembered in some fashion worthy of them too. Would you suggest that the family reject the offer?
@Awkward Seal: Ladies first
@Mary Murphy: May have been better to await final reports on tragedy. She wasn’t the on;y captain onboard either, though was captain of that flight.
@Mary Murphy: Dara was captain of the Helicopter & anytime i hear her name mentioned i automatically think of her other 3 colleagues that so tragically lost their lives…
@Tweety McTweeter : rank has no gender
Let’s hope it’s the last time we have to name it after a fallen rescuer.
Nice gesture.
Wouldn’t have to rename it though if there wasn’t austerity inflicted on the search and rescue, and she’d be still alive.
Here’s an idea: Let’s rename bad things that happened due to austerity ,after austerity.
Grenfell Tower can be Austerity Tower.
Anyone else got ideas?
@Franklin Roosevelt:
Bit of a jump to conclusions that it as a result of austerity measures.
@Franklin Roosevelt: cop on
@Nick Allen: http://www.thejournal.ie/rescue-116-lifejackets-3666717-Oct2017/
Search and rescue workers, like the ones who died, pleaded for newer, and better equipment to do their job more effectively.
These upgrades were put off (budget deficits etc.) and voila, 4 dead people in the Atlantic and one helicopter in bits.
@Franklin Roosevelt: it’s s private company. Nothing to do with austerity. It’s contract work. Grenfall also had f all to do with austerity
Give Dara wasn’t the only one lost, wouldn’t Spirit of 116 or something along those lines have been more appropriate?
@John Tierney: Well said. Thoughts are still with the missing & there families
A fantastic Gesture To Dara and her family who are in no doubt so proud of her, she and her colleagues will always be remembered by all members of the emergency services and the people of Ireland for their service and sacrifice in the line of that service, may they RIP
An even more lovely gesture might be to throw those who ignored warnings that resulted in this avoidable accident in jail for 20 years.
Gestures
Ireland centre of excellence for Gestures
@Mr Grumble: also begrudgery
It’s not as big a gesture as people might think, it’s an old second hand RAF helicopter that they got cheap not a new one as stated. It will only be in service for another few years cause of its age.
I feel so sorry for the families of the other crew who the company have made no effort to remember.
Such a lovely thing to do. Thank you.
A better gesture would be to provide them with up to date software on their navigation systems,a problem that had been highlighted before this avoidable crash.
have your say