A British couple celebrating their honeymoon have been killed after a helicopter crashed on the Greek island of Sifnos, Greek police have said. The newlyweds, named as Alexander Cromie and Marie Ebert, died alongside their Greek pilot when the private aircraft came down moments before it was due to land. The tragedy has devastated two families in Britain and raised fresh questions about the safety of leisure flights in the Aegean.
What happened on Sifnos
Police said the helicopter took off from near Athens bound for the popular holiday island and crashed in the Tholos area on Monday evening, just metres from a landing pad and close to homes. Witnesses described a “bizarre engine noise” as the aircraft prepared to touch down. A senior police official said the crash came shortly before the scheduled landing time of 18:15 local (16:15 GMT). The pilot has been named locally as Giorgos Raikos. Firefighters worked to extinguish a blaze that broke out in the wreckage.
A honeymoon cut short
Mr Cromie, 31, and Ms Ebert, 30, both London-based, had recently married and chosen Sifnos for their honeymoon. The couple were said to have taken the helicopter from the village of Markopoulo near Athens to the island. Friends and relatives paid tribute to a joyful pair with their lives ahead of them, while the island’s deputy mayor said there was almost “nothing left” of the aircraft when he arrived at the scene.
What it means for British travellers
The UK Foreign Office said it was supporting the families and was in contact with Greek authorities. Greece is one of the most visited destinations for British holidaymakers, and while such crashes are rare, the incident is a reminder that sightseeing flights carry risk. Travellers are urged to use licensed operators, heed local weather and safety warnings, and take out comprehensive insurance that covers excursions such as helicopter trips.
Investigation and early findings
Greek police believe a mechanical fault may have caused the crash, though a full inquiry is under way and no final conclusion has been reached. Investigators are examining the aircraft’s maintenance history, the weather and the flight path. Earlier this month a Briton survived when two firefighting helicopters collided west of Athens, an accident that killed a Greek and a Danish national, underscoring the dangers of flying in the region’s rugged terrain.
A wider pattern of risk
The deaths are the latest in a series of aviation incidents involving visitors to Greece this summer. While the country’s islands draw millions of tourists, small aircraft and mountainous terrain can be an unforgiving combination, particularly in heat that stresses engines. British travellers are advised to check an operator’s safety record and registration before booking, and to share flight plans with someone on the ground.
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Source: Original report. Rewrite for Your News Website.
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