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A number of people are feared dead after a helicopter crash in the Mourne Mountains in County Down on Saturday afternoon.
It is not known how many people were on board but local MLA Jim Wells said he believed that several had been killed.
He added that it had happened in an area known locally as Leitrim Lodge between Hilltown and Rostrevor.
Eyewitnesses reported that an aircraft was in distress in the area at about 1600 BST.
Police are leading the operation assisted by the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team.
A police spokesperson said that the Air Accident Investigation Authority had been informed.

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Police said, however, that the exact nature of injuries was still being established after an aircraft went down in the Mourne Mountains in Co Down on Saturday.

Mountain Rescue teams and Coastguard are also involved in the search operation launched after reports that a light aircraft or helicopter had crashed at 4pm.

It is now believed a helicopter has crashed at the Leitrim Lodge picnic area near Hilltown in the mountain range.

Jim Wells, Democratic Unionist representative for the area, said the local community was shocked and now feared the worst.

''South Down has been hit by tragedies of this type over the years,'' he said. ''It looks like we have had another accident which looks like it has led to multiple deaths.''

The Mournes area is internationally renowned for its picturesque scenery. The mountain range, set on the coastline of south Co Down, is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty.

The highest mountain in the range, Slieve Donard, is nearly 3,000 feet high.

But changeable weather patterns along the coast and the presence of the mountains have led to tragedy in the past.

In June last year three men were killed when their light aircraft crashed into a field near a private landing strip at Kilkeel, Co Down.

The pilot, Hugh McKnight, who was a 53-year-old former police officer, was returning from the TT races in the Isle of Man with Andrew Burden and Stephen Annett, both aged 24.

The coastal community has also been hit by fishing tragedies in recent years.

The death of four police officers killed when their police 4x4 vehicle crashed on a winding road near Kilkeel in November 2008 also shocked the local community.

Members of the public on Saturday spotted a helicopter in the Mournes area and believed its engine sounded abnormally loud.

The emergency services later received reports that an aircraft was in difficulties.

Chartered helicopter flights in the region are a relatively common sight, with golfing groups and wedding parties known to have used them in the past. There was no immediate confirmation of the nature of the tragic flight.

Emergency services were at the scene of the crash site on Saturday night and the area was cordoned off.

Air accident investigators have also been notified.

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said the area is finding it difficult to come to terms with the news.

"On behalf of the people of South Down and those I represent, I offer my deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to the families of the bereaved at this most tragic time," she said.

"This is a terrible reality, almost too difficult to comprehend and we can only imagine it is all too real and awful for the families bereaved.

"I'm in no doubt that the people of South Down will stand in solidarity with those that have lost loved ones and the survivors of this most terrible tragedy.

"Sincere thanks and appreciation must go to all involved in the rescue and recovery operation which could take a little time because darkness has now descended."

The MP added: "Anybody with knowledge of the local landscape should give it to the police and emergency to help the rescue operation and lessen the anxieties and distress for all involved."

Danny Kennedy, an Ulster Unionist Party representative, said: "I was shocked to hear about the crash and am deeply concerned for the people involved.

"While there are no details as yet my thoughts and prayers are with the passengers and their families who must be deeply worried at this time."

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A number of people are feared dead after a helicopter crash in the Mourne Mountains in County Down on Saturday afternoon.
It is not known how many people were on board but local MLA Jim Wells said he believed that several had been killed.
He added that happened near in an area known locally as Leitrim Lodge between Hilltown and Rostrevor.
The aircraft is believed to have left St Angelo Airport in Enniskillen earlier on Saturday.
It is understood to be a medium-sized Agusta helicopter capable or carrying up to eight people.
Eyewitnesses first reported an aircraft in distress in the Mournes at about 1600 BST.
Police are leading the operation assisted by the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team, the Fire and Rescue Service and the Ambulance Service.
Keiron Tourish, reporting for the BBC from the scene, said a picnic area at Leitrim Lodge had been cordoned off.
A police spokesperson said that the Air Accidents Investigation Branch had been informed.
South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said she was "very saddened" to hear of the crash.
"On behalf of the people of South Down and those I represent, I offer my deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to the families of the bereaved at this most tragic time."

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Three people from south-east England have died in a helicopter crash in the Mourne Mountains on Saturday.
The dead are the pilot and two passengers who were in Northern Ireland for a day of shooting in County Fermanagh.
The PSNI is speaking to the Metropolitan Police about contacting the families of those who died.
Air accident investigators are due at the crash scene on Sunday morning.
The helicopter is believed to have taken off from Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, and crashed about 1600 BST on Saturday near Hilltown.
Mountain rescue teams, the Ambulance service and the Fire and Rescue Service were involved in the crash aftermath.
The helicopter crashed in an area known locally as Leitrim Lodge between Hilltown and Rostrevor.
It is understood to be a medium-sized Agusta helicopter capable of carrying up to eight people.
South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said she was "very saddened" to hear of the crash.
"On behalf of the people of South Down and those I represent, I offer my deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to the families of the bereaved at this most tragic time."

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Initial indications appear to be Controlled flight into terrain

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