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A pilot and his seven-year-old passenger died of massive trauma as a result of a plane crash in Co Offaly two years ago, according to an investigation.
A verdict of accidental death due to massive widespread trauma was the jury’s decision in the Tullamore investigation on Friday into the deaths of pilot Niall Bowditch and Kacper Kacprzak at Clonbullogue, Co Offaly, on May 13, 2018.
The investigation heard that both accident victims suffered severe head trauma and multiple fractures to the upper and lower limbs.
His plane was discovered embedded in a swamp near Walsh Island after it crashed while returning from a parachute jump. It had “virtually sunk to the ground” and had been “flying vertically like a torpedo,” according to witness Jimmy Slattery, who saw the plane “fly straight into the trees” as he exited with his dog. “There was no smoke.” , no fire, no explosion, just silence. “
Coroner Raymond Mahon said in the investigation that questions about the responsibility to operate the flight and the legality of carrying passengers were “another matter entirely” and that the investigation was not the appropriate forum for such a discussion.
Kevin Brerton, a senior pilot with the Irish Parachute Club, said in the investigation that he had been on duty for air traffic control. The pilot had received clearance to land in his last communication, but when there was no further response, Mr. Brerton became concerned. He got on another plane and saw the wreckage “deep in the woods.”
Mr. Brerton said he did not know there was a child on board.
Coast Guard Help
Fire Officer Gabriel Conlon described how the Coast Guard helicopter flew over the site to guide a search party to the wreckage. The plane was embedded in the swamp, so trees had to be cut down to allow an on-site bulldozer to dig around the plane.
Eventually the cabin was found at a depth of 10 feet, he said. Both bodies were found in their seats, face down.
The cabin was lifted and both bodies had to be retrieved from the rubble, and the remains were taken to Tullamore hospital.
Garda Sgt John Doran said both bodies were identified through DNA testing.
Pathologist Dr. Nurul Nor, who performed the autopsies, said in the investigation that pilot Mr. Bowditch had suffered a head injury so severe that his head was nearly decapitated. The pilot’s toxicology report was negative for drugs and alcohol.
His death was due to massive trauma as a result of a plane crash.
Kacper’s parents abandoned the investigation while Dr. Nor described the boy’s injuries. The death was due to massive trauma, especially to the head, he said. He said death would have been instantaneous.
The coroner, Mr. Mahon, said that a fun day had been broken with dire consequences. There was no evidence that Bowditch had deliberately done anything to cause the accident, he said. What had happened had been “totally accidental,” he added.
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