Jack Fenton: British vacationer, 22, killed by helicopter blade ‘whereas on his telephone’

Investigators are taking a look at whether or not a younger British vacationer who died after being struck by helicopter blades in Greece rushed again to the plane whereas on his telephone.

Jack Fenton, 22, was caught within the horrific accident on Monday night simply earlier than 6.30pm, after stepping off the helicopter at a non-public airport in Spata, close to Athens, having joined three buddies on vacation.

It’s understood he was the primary to depart the Bell 407 helicopter, which had flown from the island of Mykonos, and was hit within the head by its rear rotor blade.

The pilot and two floor crew are reported to have been arrested however later launched, pending additional inquiry.

Mr Fenton’s mom, Victoria, described her son as fantastic and stated that the household from Tonbridge, in Kent, have been devastated.

“We solely came upon what occurred at 10pm final night time,” she advised MailOnline. “We’re fully devastated. He was essentially the most fantastic boy.

“I believe the pilot is in custody, but it surely was essentially the most horrible of accidents by the appears of it.”

Ioannis Kandyllis, president of Greece’s committee for aviation accidents, which is investigating the incident, stated witnesses he spoke to described Mr Fenton holding a telephone to his ear as he headed again in direction of the helicopter.

“All 4 passengers had disembarked and have been escorted to a non-public lounge awaiting a non-public flight for London,” Mr Kandyllis stated.

“However as they have been within the lounge the sufferer broke away and returned to the tarmac, dashing to the helicopter at a quick tempo. Witnesses we spoke to stated he had a telephone to his ear and was strolling to the plane shortly, defying floor crew shouting to him, ‘Cease! Cease!’

“Inside seconds the tragic accident occurred. It was horrific.”

Mr Fenton, a former Oxford Brookes college pupil who beforehand attended Sutton Valence boarding college in Kent the place charges are greater than £30,000 a 12 months, had been on vacation in Greece earlier than the incident.

In line with a LinkedIn web page, he was a junior account government at a social media advertising and marketing agency.

Police have confirmed that investigations are underway and have stated they’re “doing the whole lot to grasp what went mistaken and the way this tragic incident occurred”.

In line with native experiences, the pilot and two floor technicians appeared earlier than a prosecutor, testifying in connection to the incident, and have been subsequently launched.

“All three face prices of negligent murder,” a spokesman for the Greek police stated.

“How the accident occurred remains to be beneath investigation. It was a really unlucky incident. We hope that the British man’s household will keep sturdy.”

Mr Fenton’s companions, all males of their twenties, are understood to have given proof to investigators and native media stated all three had returned to the UK.

A police supply advised The Solar: “We’re speaking a few tragedy – an unprecedented tragedy that by no means ought to have occurred.

“The trigger is being investigated but it surely stays unclear why this occurred or was allowed to occur when rotor blades pose such an apparent hazard.”

Studies recommend the investigation will cowl how the passengers have been allowed to get off the helicopter whereas the rotor blades have been nonetheless in movement.

A Overseas, Commonwealth and Improvement Workplace spokesperson stated: “We’re supporting the household of a British man who has died in Greece and are involved with the native authorities.”