Last night’s plane crash was a key example of why Waterford needs an airport.
That’s according to the Chief Safety Officer of the Atlantic Flight Training Academy, whose Senior Instructor John Walton played a supporting role in the rescue effort of yesterday’s plane crash.
His party of four, including two cadets, received a call from the airport’s Air Traffic Control to locate the light aircraft, which crash-landed on Carnsore Point after what is understood to have been engine troubles.
The airport acts as a satellite base for AFTA’s operations.
Thanks to AFTA student Joules for this stunning photo of the sunset while flying alongside the River Suir and Cable Stayed Bridge in Waterford. pic.twitter.com/F5YoVxCqij
— Atlantic Flight Training Academy (@AtlanticFlight) September 19, 2021
And speaking to Beat News, Phillip Smythe says the fact that it was open played a huge role in the speed of the rescue.
"The very presence of having an Airport in the South-Eastern corner of the county was obviously key to it as well. It's a vital part of the aviation infrastructure - having an airport there and also having a rescue service readily on hand was vital to, so it all worked.
"It just proves the need to have an airport in Waterford"
You can hear our full interview with Phillip below:
