It's hard to believe it's been a year since the Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 crashed off the coast of Mayo.
The helicopter crashed at Blackrock Island after it failed to feature on the helicopter's onboard warning system. All four crew members were killed as a result, including Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, Captain Mark Duffy, winchman Ciarán Smith and winch operator Paul Ormsby.
Dara Fitzpatrick was recovered at sea soon after the helicopter went down, but died later in hospital. The body of pilot Mark Duffy was found in the wreckage of the helicopter some weeks later. The bodies of Ormsby and Smith have yet to be recovered.
Marking a year since the accident, Dara's sister Niamh has posted an emotional Tweet urging people to make sure loved ones know you love them. She said:
"It's nearly a year since my sister died.
Almost 52 weeks since I last saw her. I never went that long in my whole life without seeing her.
Now I'll live the rest of my life without ever seeing her again.
Make sure that your loved ones know that you love them. It does help..."
It's nearly a year since my sister died.
Almost 52 weeks since I last saw her. I never went that long in my whole life without seeing her.
Now I'll live the rest of my life without ever seeing her again.
Make sure that your loved ones know that you love them. It does help...
— Niamh Fitzpatrick (@NFitzPsychology) March 4, 2018
