Updated 4.00 pm 

THE MAN IN his mid-twenties who died after a car crash in Limerick last night has been named locally as 25-year-old pilot Denis Metcalfe from Mallow in Co Cork.

The young man was fatally injured when the car he was driving collided with a pole at about 11.50pm last night on the N20 near Ballyphillip.

Metcalfe was the only occupant of the car and local reports say that gardaí are investigating the possibility that he may have experienced health difficulties when the accident happened.

He was as taken to the University Hospital Limerick after the crash and a post-mortem is due to take place there.

Metcalfe was a former flight instructor at the Atlantic Flight Training Centre in Cork and joined Stobart Air, formerly Aer Arann, in March of this year.

Following his death, the company has released a tribute to him saying that he had already become a “highly regarded member of staff”:

In his short time with us, Denis made a positive impact with everyone who worked with him. His skills as a pilot had already marked him out as a highly talented professional, with a promising career ahead. On behalf of everyone at the airline, we extend our deepest sympathies to Denis’s family, friends and neighbours.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the crash to contact them at Newcastle West Garda Station on 069-20650, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111, or at any Garda Station.

- Additional reporting by Rónán Duffy