THE sister of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick has spoken of her pain a year on from the deadly R116 helicopter crash off the coast of Mayo.
Coast Guard Rescue 116 crashed at Blackrock Island on March 14, 2017 after the isle failed to register on the helicopter's warning system.
All four crew members onboard died in the tragedy, including Captain Fitzpatrick, Captain Mark Duffy, winchman Ciarán Smith and winch operator Paul Ormsby.
Ms Fitzpatrick was pulled from the sea shortly after the crash, but later died in hospital.
The body of Captain Duffy was found in the wreckage of the aircraft weeks later, while the bodies of Mr Ormsby and Mr Smith were never found.
"It's nearly a year since my sister died," Niamh Fitzpatrick wrote in a poignant message on Twitter yesterday.
"Almost 52 weeks since I last saw her. I never went that long in my whole life without seeing her.
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
"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."
The post received a huge reaction online, with hundreds of people sending their best wishes and support to the Fitzpatrick family, as well as relatives of the other crew members.
One user wrote: "The saying it doesn’t get easier you just learn to live without them through memories! Thoughts with you as Dara’s anniversary approaches".
Another said: "It’s a loss that could never be fully accepted. Her bravery in putting herself in harms way means many have their loved ones beside them. Selfless sacrifice".
While a third, sharing how she dealt with the loss of her father, added: "It’s an awful long time without my best friend. But it’s a comfort to me that he knew that in my eyes he hung the moon & stars.
"So I now make sure the people I love know that I love them. And I’m sending you a hug, whether you need it or not."
See More: Dara Fitzpatrick, Mayo, R116 Crash
