British tourist, 21-year-old Jack Fenton, was hit by a helicopter propeller while taking a selfie at an airstrip near Athens and died as a result; the Greek prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the case, the Guardian reported on Tuesday.
Two engineers and a plane pilot detained on Monday were released from custody, awaiting the investigation results.
A tragic accident
“Our investigation is focused on possible negligence,” a police source said. – “Based on the testimony of witnesses, basic questions emerged, for example, why the propellers did not stop when passengers were allowed to disembark (from the helicopter) on Monday.”
The victim died on the spot. Fenton was due to return to Britain in a private jet after vacationing with his parents on the island of Mykonos. Greek media reported that a student at Oxford Brookes University was struck by a propeller while trying to take a selfie in front of a helicopter seconds after the Bell 407 helicopter landed at an airstrip near the town of Spata, several kilometres southeast of Athens city centre. The propeller cut off the young man’s head.
Manslaughter?
Fenton’s parents, who flew in the second helicopter, allegedly were unaware of the tragedy until their helicopter was redirected to Athens International Airport. According to media reports, a helicopter pilot whose passenger was a 21-year-old may be accused of manslaughter.
The Greek newspaper Proto Thema reported that the helicopter personnel had escorted passengers out of the helicopter, and Fenton, who had disembarked first, unexpectedly turned around and approached the helicopter while its engines were still running. Friends of the British said that they had not received instructions to leave the helicopter from the cabin crew.