A young British couple celebrating their honeymoon and their pilot have died after a private helicopter crashed on the Greek island of Sifnos.
Alexander Cromie, 31, and his wife, Marie Ebert, 30, were killed alongside their 55-year-old pilot, Giorgos Raikos, when the Bell 206 helicopter crashed just metres from a landing pad.
Viral CCTV footage seen by TNX Africa showed the aircraft spinning out of control before plunging to the ground and bursting into flames.
Greece’s aviation safety authority told the BBC that an investigation into the crash was under way.
The circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear, although local witnesses reported hearing an unusual noise from the helicopter shortly before it went down.
Sifnos Deputy Mayor Manolis Fountoulakis told local media that residents had described hearing a loud and unusual sound from the aircraft, raising the possibility of a mechanical problem.
“People in the area have testified hearing the helicopter making a noise, a strange noise, probably a mechanical fault in the air because the propeller was doing something strange,” Fountoulakis told Greek television.
Ebert was a senior specialist at consultancy firm Bain & Company.
In a statement, the company said it was “shocked” by reports of the tragedy and expressed its support for the families affected.
“We are shocked to read reports of a tragic accident in Greece regarding one of our colleagues and her husband,” the company said. “Our thoughts and support are with the families involved at this very difficult time.”
Cromie, known as Alex, worked for asset management firm Blackstone. The company described him as a beloved colleague and expressed its condolences to his family and friends.
“We are shocked by the tragic passing of three people, including our colleague Alex Cromie and his wife Marie, who were celebrating their honeymoon,” Blackstone said.
Sifnos, part of Greece’s Cyclades island group, is known for its beaches and the historic Chrysopigi Monastery.
The island also receives private helicopter traffic, particularly from tourists using air transport to connect with the mainland.
Investigators are expected to examine the helicopter’s mechanical systems, flight path and other evidence as they work to establish what caused the aircraft to lose control.
