“Minutes from landing”: Heartbreak as honeymoon couple die in helicopter crash

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- A private helicopter carrying British couple Alexander Cromie and Marie Ebert crashed on the Greek island of Sifnos on Monday

- The newlyweds had hired an air taxi to travel from near Athens to Sifnos to begin their honeymoon

- Their pilot, a retired Greek Air Force officer with extensive military flying experience, also died in the crash

A young British couple on their honeymoon and their Greek pilot have died after a private helicopter came down metres from its landing pad on the island of Sifnos in Greece on Monday.

The victims have been identified as newlyweds Alexander Cromie and Marie Ebert, who had recently married and were beginning their honeymoon in Greece.

The pilot, a retired Greek Air Force officer who was reported to have flown military Chinook helicopters during his career, was also killed.

What happened before the crash

The couple had boarded the private air taxi at Markopoulo, a village near Athens, bound for Sifnos, a popular summer destination in the Cyclades island group.

According to a senior police official, the helicopter was approaching its helipad at around 6pm local time when it went down, just minutes before its scheduled 18:15 landing time.

The aircraft was due to depart again just 25 minutes later. Residents in the vicinity reported hearing an unusual noise from the helicopter shortly before the impact, and parts of the aircraft were seen in the air upon the crash.

The Greek fire service said the incident triggered an alarm that was heard across the island.

Employers pay tribute to the couple

Cromie worked at asset management firm Blackstone, which confirmed his death in a statement. "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 firm said.

Ebert held the position of senior specialist at consultancy firm Bain & Company.

The company said in a statement: "We are shocked to read reports of a tragic accident in Greece regarding one of our colleagues and her husband. Our thoughts and support are with the families involved at this very difficult time."

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

Investigation Under Way

Greece's National Organisation for the Investigation of Air and Railway Accidents and Transport Safety has opened a formal inquiry into the crash, the Greek Ministry of Transport confirmed.

Investigators were expected to travel to Sifnos on Tuesday to collect evidence and interview witnesses. Greece's aviation safety authority separately confirmed to the BBC that it was also looking into the incident.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.