Emergency services deployed to Shannon Airport

EMERGENCY services were called to Shannon Airport after the pilot of a plane bound for America was forced to ground the aircraft.

The gardai, ambulance crews, and the airport's own in-house fire and rescue team were deployed to the scene at the base this New Year's Day morning, with its passengers forced to evacuate the plane, which was bound for Boston in America.

The grounding of the Delta Airlines jet took place after its crew declared an emergency over the Atlantic Ocean advising air traffic controllers that they had fumes within the cockpit, which is the area where the pilots operate from.

The flight was numbered DL-113 with its passengers travelling from the Italian capital of Rome.

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At around 11.20am, while the jet was about 230km south of Ireland, the crew declared an emergency.

Traffic controllers were made aware at least one person on board was complaining of feeling unwell from the effects of the fumes.

The flight landed safely at 11.49am and was met by airport and local authority fire crews.

An inspection of the aircraft took place.

A short time later the aircraft taxied to the terminal still accompanied by fire crews. Airport authorities and ambulance paramedics were standing by for the aircraft at the terminal.

The crew advised controllers that they wished to evacuate everyone from the aircraft as soon as possible to ensure no one else was affected by the fumes.

Paramedics assessed anyone on board who complained of feeling unwell.

The passengers were all escorted into the terminal where paramedics were also on hand to assess any other passengers and crew who required attention.

Engineers are expected to investigate the source of the fumes before a decision is made on whether the aircraft can continue its journey.