Newlywed Couple Die in Helicopter Crash on Greek Island During Honeymoon
A British newlywed couple has died alongside their pilot after a private helicopter crashed on the Greek island of Sifnos while they were travelling for their honeymoon.
The victims were identified as 31-year-old Alexander Cromie and 30-year-old Marie Ebert, who were reportedly on their honeymoon when the helicopter went down near the Tholos area of Sifnos on Monday evening, August 17. The Greek pilot, identified as 55-year-old Giorgos Raikos, also died in the crash.
The couple had reportedly chartered the helicopter for a flight from Markopoulo, near Athens, to Sifnos. The aircraft was approaching its destination when it lost control shortly before the scheduled landing at around 6:15 p.m. local time.
Witnesses reportedly heard an unusual noise coming from the helicopter shortly before the crash. Footage from a nearby security camera appeared to show the aircraft spinning before hitting the ground and bursting into flames.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene and recovered the bodies of all three people aboard the helicopter.
The cause of the crash has not yet been established. Greek authorities have launched an investigation, with possible mechanical failure among the issues being examined. Weather conditions were reportedly favourable at the time of the accident.
Cromie worked as a vice president in private wealth solutions at investment firm Blackstone. The company described him as a beloved colleague and expressed condolences to his family following the tragedy. Ebert was also a professional in the financial and consulting sector.
The couple’s deaths have drawn widespread attention because they occurred during what was supposed to be a celebration of their new marriage.
The UK Foreign Office is reportedly assisting the victims’ families and working with Greek authorities as investigations into the fatal crash continue.
