Three Reported Injured, Two Taken To Hospital

A door fell off a British helicopter during an air show in Ireland Sunday into a crowd of spectators, injuring three people.

The incident occurred in the seaside resort of Salthill near County Galway on Ireland's west coast. Witnesses reported the EH-101 Merlin transport helicopter (type shown above) was hovering at about 100 feet over a hotel, just after the air show had concluded, when a side door came off and fell into the crowd, according to the Belfast Telegraph.

Witness Liam McBurney told reporters panic ensued as about 100 people bolted from the area.

"The door fell off and was just like a piece of paper floating in the wind," he said.

"It floated over the promenade and crashed into the beach before bouncing about five to ten feet into the air and landing again."

The Garda Síochána, Ireland's International Police Service, and the Irish Aviation Authority have launched investigations.

Three people are reported to have been injured, with two transported to University College Hospital in Galway.

"Fortunately, all the emergency services were at hand and could respond immediately", said a Salthill Garda station spokesperson.

FMI: www.garda.ie, www.iaa.ie