ONE OF THE THREE people killed in the helicopter crash in Co Down on Saturday afternoon was a friend of Princes Charles, Harry and William, it is reported.

Charlie Stisted (47) was one of the three people killed when their aircraft came down in the Mourne Mountains after stopping to refuel at Enniskillen before setting off on its return journey.

Stisted and the other passenger – as well as the pilot – had travelled to the area on a shooting trip and were returning home when the tragedy struck.

Stisted was connected to the Royal family through his role as the chief executive of the Guards Polo Club, of which the Royals are members – and of which Prince Philip, Charles’ father and William and Harry’s grandfather, is president.

A spokesman for Prince Charles said that he and his sons were “shocked and deeply saddened by this terrible tragedy.

‘Their Royal Highnesses thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed at this dreadful time.”

RTÉ reports that Stisted’s wife Melissa was in Dubai when she received news of the accident.

Another passenger, Ian Woolridge, was also a member of the club – and was involved in the Titanic Quarter property company in Belfast. He was a major sponsor of a local football team in Surrey.

Their helicopter was based in Surrey, RTÉ reported, and was on its way back there after refuelling in St Angelo airport in Enniskillen.