The death has occurred of a Castlebar man that was hailed as a hero when he rescued three occupants of a crashed light aircraft at Castlebar Railway station, back in the 1960s.

John Burke (better known as Johnny) of Ballymacragh, Westport Road, Castlebar  passed away at Mayo University Hospital.

Johnny worked for Irish Rail for over forty years, carrying out duties as a Signal Man at Manulla junction. He also worked in the road freight department and for many years was the Guinness Delivery Man.

He was hailed as a hero when he rescued the three occupants of a light aircraft which overshot the runway at Castlebar airport and crash landed and overturned at Castlebar Railway Station. During the course of the rescue he sustained injuries but continued until of all three people who were on board were safe.

He is survived by his wife Julie and family.

Removal from his home is on Easter Monday, at 10.45am to the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar arriving for Funeral Mass at 11.30am.

Afterwards he will be laid to rest in Castlebar Old Cemetery.