Because he took a selfie?
Briton († 22) fatally hit by helicopter propeller in Greece
Jack F. was returning from vacation in a helicopter with his friends and parents when he was hit in the head by a propeller after landing. He died on the spot.
The Briton Jack F. († 22) was on Monday evening with three friends in a rented helicopter on the way back from the Greek tourist stronghold of Mykonos before they were then supposed to fly back to London. But before that, a stopover in Athens was on the agenda, like the British one «Daily Mail» reported.
Called on the way back to the heli
After disembarking from the helicopter, the four friends were taken to a private lounge to wait for their flight. But F. had other things in mind. He returned to the runway unaccompanied. The ground staff shouted “Stop! Stop!” reports the newspaper. F. didn’t bother about it, ran quickly in the direction of the helicopter with his cell phone to his ear. Then he died. According to the Greek television channel Open TV, he is said to have just taken a selfie when he was hit hard in the head by the rapidly circulating rotor blades. Because the engine of the heli was still running, which the Briton had apparently ignored.
Rescue workers were called immediately, but they could not have done anything. The 22-year-old died on the spot.
F.’s parents wanted to join the group shortly afterwards. They were traveling in another helicopter. However, this pilot decided to land at a different airport to spare the parents the sight of their dead son.
The pilot is now also being targeted
The police are investigating, as reported by various media. For example, the young man’s mobile phone is being examined to clarify whether and with whom F. is said to have been on the phone shortly before his death and why he returned to the helicopter so urgently.
The pilot is also being targeted by investigators. Specifically, it is being investigated whether he has complied with all safety procedures. If the investigation found the opposite, the pilot would be charged with manslaughter. Specifically, the question is why F. left the helicopter with his friends while the propellers were still turning.
Actually, pilots are only allowed to let their passengers disembark when the engine is switched off and the propellers are no longer rotating. In order to comment on the allegations, the pilot testified before a prosecutor on Tuesday. A verdict is still pending. (ced)