50 years on Tuskar crash still gut-wrenching for Cork families

Wreckage from the Viscount is carefully for inspection.

A nearby plane was diverted to search the area but could see nothing and a full alert was sounded at 11.25am. The plane, an 11-year-old Vickers Viscount, had entered the water 1.7 nautical miles from Tuskar Rock. It was the following day before debris was seen and over the next few days 14 bodies were recovered. The main wreckage of the aircraft was detected at a depth of 39 fathoms but the other 47 victims were never recovered.

“There was a gathering planned because there was a very active association with Ballyphehane people living in London at the time. Father Hegarty was going over to a social and others visiting relatives.”

Seán Boyce of the Rosslare Maritime Museum and the organising committee said: “It is our hope to have as many of the relatives as possible in attendance. There will be a commemorative display which we are happy to open to the families.”