British honeymoon couple killed in Greek helicopter crash named
British newlyweds Alexander Cromie and Marie Ebert died with their Greek pilot when their helicopter crashed on Sifnos during their honeymoon.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A British couple on their honeymoon have been named as Alexander Cromie and Marie Ebert, both in their 30s and from London, after they were killed in a helicopter crash on the Greek island of Sifnos. The pilot, Georgios Raikos, a 55-year-old Greek national and veteran of the Greek Air Force, also died.
The private helicopter had taken off from a village near Athens, Markopoulo, on Monday evening and was due to land on Sifnos at around 6pm local time. It crashed less than 50 metres from the landing pad, bursting into flames. Fire crews discovered the bodies. Eyewitnesses reported hearing an unusual noise from the aircraft moments before it came down, and some said it appeared to lose a part and spin before hitting the ground. Security camera footage later showed the helicopter going into a spin.
The couple had only recently married and had chosen Greece for their honeymoon. Tributes were paid by their employers: Alexander worked in finance at an asset management firm, where he was described as beloved by everyone who knew him. Marie worked for a management consultancy, where colleagues said she was a much loved and respected colleague who was exceptional at her job.
The island's deputy mayor visited the scene and described the devastation. The local community was said to be deeply shocked. Greek aviation safety officials have begun an investigation into the cause of the crash. The British Foreign Office said it was in contact with Greek authorities and ready to provide assistance to the families.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC News | BBC One | ITV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The couple, Alexander Cromey and Marie Ebert, died along with their Greek pilot. | ||||
| Eyewitnesses reported an unusual noise from the helicopter before it crashed. | · | |||
| The helicopter crashed as it attempted to land on Sifnos. | · | |||
| The couple took off from Markopoulo, about 25 miles from Athens, on Monday evening. | · | · | ||
| The pilot was identified as 55-year-old Greek national Georgios Raikos. | · | · | ||
| Fire crews discovered the bodies. | · | · | · | |
| Marie Ebert worked for a consultancy firm and Alexander worked in finance. | · | · | · | |
| One eyewitness said the helicopter appeared to lose a part and spin before falling. | · | · | · | |
| The couple were both in their 30s and from London. | · | · | · | |
| The crash occurred at approximately 6 p.m. local time. | · | · | · | |
| The pilot was a veteran of the Greek Air Force. | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
This channel gave a brief, sombre update, focusing on the emotional impact of the tragedy and the fact the couple were newlyweds. It named the victims and pilot, and noted the employers' shock, but provided fewer details on the investigation than other outlets.
- “Really sad as you say a British couple who were on their honeymoon have been killed in a helicopter crash.”
- “Their employers back here in the UK say they are shocked at their passing.”
The report emphasised the local community's devastation and the mystery surrounding the crash, including eyewitness accounts of a strange noise and possible malfunction. It also highlighted the couple's careers and the ongoing investigation by mainland authorities.
- “Sifnos is a small close-knit community People are deeply shocked”
- “Trying to work out how a honeymoon could end like this”
This is the same report as the BBC ONE West broadcast, with identical content and framing. It focuses on the tragedy and the community's shock, and includes the official's comments about a possible malfunction.
- “Sifnos is a small close-knit community People are deeply shocked”
- “Trying to work out how a honeymoon could end like this”
This channel provided a more detailed account, including the couple's professional backgrounds and eyewitness descriptions of the crash. It stressed that their life together had only just begun, and included the Foreign Office's response.
- “Alex Cromie and Marie Ebert's life together had only just begun.”
- “People said that it sounded weird, you know, didn't sound healthy”
- “The helicopter crashed very close to where it was supposed to land less than 50 meters from the helipad.”
The late bulletin added new information, including security camera footage showing the helicopter spinning and the pilot's background as a Greek Air Force veteran. It also gave a precise landing time and reinforced the proximity of the crash to the helipad.
- “This footage from a security camera captured its last moments.”
- “Their pilot, a veteran of the Greek Air Force, sadly died with them.”
- “The helicopter can be seen going into a spin.”
This is the same report as the earlier BBC ONE West broadcast, with identical content. It repeats the key facts and the community's reaction, and then moves on to other news.
- “Sifnos is a small close-knit community People are deeply shocked”
- “Trying to work out how a honeymoon could end like this”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.