Man who died in plane crash in Newtownards named as Philip Murdock
One of the two people who died in a plane crash in Newtownards has been named as Philip Murdock.
Mr Murdock had founded Co Armagh based security firm Envision Intelligent Solutions, which was acquired by Irish-American conglomerate Johnson Controls earlier this year.
In a statement Johnson Controls said: “We are greatly saddened to hear the news that Philip Murdock was involved in a fatal light aircraft incident on Tuesday 19th July.
“Phil was the founder and managing director of Envision Intelligent Solutions Limited and was a passionate and charismatic member of the team.
“We understand that this news will affect all who have known and worked alongside him over the years, and we’d like to extend our deepest condolences to Phil’s family, friends, and colleagues.
“The team at Envision are a close-knit team and we are supporting them and Philip’s family through this difficult time as best we can.
“Our thoughts are with his wife, his parents, his wider family and of course, his Envision team.”
A funeral notice said Mr Murdock had “passed suddenly into the presence of his Lord and Saviour. Much loved husband of Esther, beloved son of Bertie and Wilma and loving son-in-law of Jean and the late Eddie Deyermond. Dear brother of Paul and Elaine and devoted uncle.”
The PSNI are investigating and said their investigation will run separate to another investigation being carried out by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).
A spokesperson for the AAIB said: “An accident involving a light aircraft which occurred last night near Newtownards, County Down has been notified to the AAIB.
"An investigation has begun and a team of inspectors are on their way to the accident site.”
In a statement, the Ulster Flying Club said: “On behalf of the Chairman, Directors, members and staff of the Ulster Flying Club, it is with great sadness and regret that we must share the tragic news that two of our club members lost their lives in the aircraft crash that took place at our airfield in Newtownards.”