Newlyweds Alex Cromie and Marie Ebert have been pictured for the first time after they died in a helicopter crash while on their honeymoon in Greece. The couple, both in their early 30s, were killed alongside helicopter pilot Giorgos Raikos when the aircraft spun out of control during a journey from Athens to the island of Sifnos.
Blackstone pays tribute to colleague
Mr Cromie worked as a vice president in private wealth solutions at asset management firm Blackstone. In a statement, a spokesperson for the company said: “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.”
Crash details emerge
The helicopter crashed and sparked a fire in the Tholos area of Sifnos. Residents living near the helipad reported hearing an unusual noise from the aircraft shortly before the crash.
Manolis Fountoulakis, deputy mayor of Sifnos, told ERTnews: "According to the testimonies of the residents of the area, they heard the noise of the helicopter, it was a strange noise. It probably had a mechanical failure in the air. This is because the propeller was doing something strange… it was making a very loud noise."
Investigation under way
Fountoulakis said residents had described hearing a noise "like military aircraft" before the helicopter came down. Authorities are reconstructing the helicopter's flight path and analysing footage of the crash as part of their investigation.
Raikos, 55, was described in local reports as an experienced former Greek Air Force officer who had flown military Chinook helicopters. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been contacted for comment.
