Greek authorities have reported that a helicopter crash on the Greek island of Sifnos on Monday claimed the lives of a young British couple and their pilot.
They were on their honeymoon in Greece and were identified as newlyweds Alexander Cromie and Marie Ebert.
The couple and their pilot, a Greek national, perished when the private helicopter crashed only meters from a landing pad.
British Couple Killed in Sifnos Helicopter Crash
The news was informed by Greece’s aviation safety authority that it was looking into the incident and that its inspectors will be visiting the area on Tuesday to collect evidence and interview witnesses.
At the scene of the fatal helicopter accident, a dark smoke plume was visible.
“Our thoughts are with the families during this difficult time,” a Foreign Office official told the press. We are communicating with the Greek authorities and offering consular assistance.”
The aircraft business and Greek authorities have been approached by the news for comment.
What Happened in the Sifnos Helicopter Crash?
“We are shocked by the tragic passing of three people including our colleague Alex Cromie and his wife Marie Ebert.
Who were celebrating their honeymoon,” the asset management company Blackstone, where Cromie was employed, said in a statement.
Everyone who knew and worked with Alex at Blackstone adored him, and his loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers.”
Ebert was employed by consulting firm Bain & Company as a senior professional.
“We are shocked to read reports of a tragic accident in Greece regarding one of our colleagues and her husband,” the firm stated in a statement.During this extremely trying time, our thoughts and support are with the families concerned.
The incident occurred shortly before the helicopter was supposed to arrive at 18:15 local time (16:15 GMT), a senior police officer told the Times.
Manolis Foundoulakis, the deputy mayor of Sifnos, told local news outlet Newsit that nearly “nothing left” of the aircraft when he got at the scene soon after the tragedy.
Locals reported hearing a “bizarre engine noise coming from the aircraft” as the helicopter was going to land, he claimed, and they witnessed the crash within meters of their houses.
Rescue Efforts After the Sifnos Helicopter Crash
He said that two of the dead were found inside the rubble, and the third was found close by.
By Monday nite, firefighters had put out a fire that had started after the collision.
