Gardaí and emergency services are at the scene of a helicopter crash in Co Westmeath.

Gardaí and emergency services remain at the scene of the incident which happened at a location near Killucan, Co Westmeath at approximately 3:30 pm on Tuesday.

It’s understood that a helicopter crashed into a building and that there may be "several casualties."

A statement from An Garda Síochána said: "Gardaí and emergency services are currently at the scene of an incident involving a helicopter at a location near Killucan, Co. Westmeath which occurred at approximately 3:30pm.

"As this is a live and ongoing operation, no further information is available at this time."

Acting cief fire officer with Westmeath Fire and Rescue Service Pat Hunt said there was "a number of casualties."

Speaking on the Midlands 103 radio station, he said: "We understand that it’s an incident involving a helicopter crashing into a building in the Joristown Upper townland in Killucan, Co Westmeath."

He added: "All the the principal response agencies are mobilising to the scene: An Garda Siochana, the ambulance service and ourselves.

"What we can understand is that there are a number of casualties involved, but again, we cannot at this stage confirm the number."

Labour councillor for the Mullingar-Kinnegad District Denis Leonard expressed his shock at the incident.

He told Extra.ie: "The site is between Killucan and Raharney, an area called Joristown, which is about 15 kilometres east of Mullingar. Apparently 3:30 pm this afternoon, a helicopter obviously got into difficulty and crash landed into the side of a piggery there.

"Unconfirmed reports are that there are fatalities in the helicopter but on the ground, there was nobody hurt on the ground. We’re shocked and sad locally that this would happen, on a bright sunny day and after the weekend we’ve had with tragedy on our roads."

He added: "It’s shocking that this has been visited on so many more families now have to deal with this tragic, tragic event. Our hearts and our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families involved. We’re obviously hearing the news as it unfolds."

Mayor of Mullingar-Kinnegad Municipal District Ken Glynn said that the incident is "shocking and tragic."

Speaking to RTÉ, he said: "I’m surprised and shocked, it’s not something you would expect to hear in your own locality."

The Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit said it had deployed a team of inspectors to the site of the single-engine helicopter crash.