HARIANEXPRESS – Two crew members lost their lives when two firefighting helicopters collided mid-air in Greece while actively engaged in battling wildfires. The incident occurred approximately 65 km (42 miles) west of the capital Athens.
The crash resulted in the deaths of a Danish pilot and a Greek fire service liaison officer. However, a British pilot and another Greek co-ordinator aboard the second helicopter managed to survive.
Incident Details and Casualties
Video footage of the collision revealed one Bell helicopter striking the rotors of the other aircraft. The second helicopter subsequently burst into flames and crashed into a ravine, while the first aircraft made an emergency landing.
According to the Greek Fire Service, the two Bell helicopters, leased from the Australian company McDermott Aviation, collided on Sunday. They were part of efforts to control a large wildfire burning near the Attica-Boeotia border.
The crew members from one helicopter were rescued alive, sustaining only minor injuries. The second crew was recovered unconscious and later pronounced dead.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his “deepest sorrow” over the accident. In a post on X, he conveyed that the loss of the Greek coordinator and Danish pilot “fills us all with grief” and extended condolences to their families.
A source from the civil protection ministry informed the BBC that all Bell helicopters across Greece have been grounded following the protocol. The second helicopter involved in the collision executed an emergency landing in an area with low vegetation.
“The two people on board, a British pilot and a Greek fire service liaison officer – escaped with minor injuries,” the source stated, adding, “Both remained conscious and have been admitted to hospital, where they will remain under observation for 24 hours as a precaution.”
The British survivor was identified as a private pilot hired for the current wildfire season. He was not involved in any exchange program between the UK and Greece, and Athens had not requested assistance from the UK.
Ongoing Investigations and Wildfire Context
Greece’s Ekathimerini news website reported that the two survivors promptly reported the collision. This crucial action helped guide rescuers to the crash site efficiently.
John McDermott, founder and president of McDermott Aviation, extended his deepest condolences to those affected. He confirmed that the company is collaborating closely with authorities in their investigation of the tragic incident.
The names of the four crew members have not yet been publicly released. Firefighters and forensic experts were later observed conducting operations at the crash site.
Meanwhile, firefighting efforts continue with Erickson Air-Crane and Chinook helicopters, alongside Canadair water-bombing aircraft. Greece has been battling extensive wildfires this week, leading to numerous evacuations.
Other European nations, including France and Spain, have also experienced severe blazes amidst prolonged heatwaves. These conditions, often exacerbated by climate change, encourage vegetation growth in mild, wet winters, which then dries out to provide fuel for wildfires.
