British tourist, 21, dies after being struck by helicopter blades in horrific accident in Greece
- He walked behind the Bell 407 helicopter while its engines were still engaged
- Emergency services rushed to the heliport near Athens but he died on impact
- The tragic incident took place around 6:20pm local time on Monday
A young British tourist was killed in a horrific accident which saw his body chopped to pieces by helicopter blades at an airport in Spata on Monday.
The 21-year-old male who has not yet been identified was exiting the aircraft at the private airport along with three other tourists, including his sister, following a flight from Mykonos to Athens purchased for them by wealthy parents.
He reportedly walked behind the Bell 407 helicopter while its engines were still engaged and was struck by the aircraft’s tail rotor.
The exact circumstances have not yet been clarified but the man sustained grievous injuries in the incident, which happened at around 6.20pm local time.
Emergency services were called to the private heliport on the outskirts of Athens but the victim is thought to have been killed almost instantly by the high-speed rotor.
Emergency services at the scene of the incident involving a man in his twenties who died when a rear helicopter propeller hit him in Spata, near Athens, Greece
The man reportedly walked behind the Bell 407 helicopter while its engines were still engaged and was struck by the aircraft’s tail rotor
A police source told The Sun: ‘We are talking about a tragedy – an unprecedented tragedy that never should have happened.
‘The cause is being investigated but it remains unclear why this happened or was allowed to happen when rotor blades pose such an obvious danger.’
A second helicopter carrying the victim’s parents was close behind, forcing the pilot who had landed and witnessed the shocking incident to radio ahead to his colleague and warn him of what had transpired.
The pilot of the second helicopter chose to divert from the private airport in Spata and instead made an unscheduled landing at Athens International Airport to prevent the man’s parents witnessing the scene of the tragic accident.
Police sources did not reveal the family involved but it is understood they are extremely wealthy.
Police sources did not reveal the family involved but it is understood they are extremely wealthy (police and emergency services are pictured at the scene tonight)
Locals told The Sun that limousines were waiting at the heliport in Spata, ready to ferry them to a private jet stationed at Athens International Airport.
Greek police were pictured at the scene conducting their investigation on Monday night and are believed to be probing the pilot who landed the chopper as to why the passengers were allowed to exit the aircraft with the rotors still spinning.
The circumstances leading to the tragic accident have not yet been determined.
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