British Newlyweds Killed In Helicopter Crash On Greek Island During Honeymoon

A young British couple celebrating their honeymoon have been killed in a helicopter crash on the Greek island of Sifnos, along with their pilot.

Alexander Cromie and Marie Ebert were named by Greek police as the victims of Monday's crash, which happened just metres from the helicopter's scheduled landing pad.

What Happened

The private Bell 206 helicopter was traveling from Markopoulo village near Athens to Sifnos, a popular holiday destination in the Cyclades islands, according to the BBC.

The aircraft crashed just before its scheduled 18:15 local time landing, witnesses reported hearing a "bizarre engine noise" from the helicopter as it approached.

The Deputy Mayor of Sifnos, Manolis Foundoulakis, arrived at the scene shortly after and told local media there was almost "nothing left" of the aircraft. Two victims were found in the wreckage while the third was discovered a short distance away.

A fire broke out after the crash, with firefighters working through Monday evening to extinguish the flames.

The Victims

Cromie worked at asset management firm Blackstone, which released a statement saying: "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."

"Alex was beloved by everyone who knew and worked with him at Blackstone, and our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones," the company added.

Ebert worked as a senior specialist at consultancy brand Bain & Company. The firm said they were "shocked" by the news and that "our thoughts and support are with the families involved at this very difficult time."

The Investigation

Greece's aviation safety authority confirmed to the BBC it is investigating the crash. Investigators were heading to Sifnos on Tuesday to gather evidence and speak to witnesses.

The island's Deputy Mayor Yiannis Rafeletos told the BBC that locals are "devastated" and "deeply shocked" by what happened.

"So much happiness has turned into sorrow," he said.

Official Response

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with the families during this difficult time. We are providing consular support and in contact with the Greek authorities."

The crash highlights ongoing safety concerns around private helicopter flights in Greece's popular tourist islands, where such services are commonly used by visitors traveling between destinations.

Sources:

• BBC News
• Sky News