British newlyweds killed in helicopter crash on Greek holiday island

A couple on their honeymoon has died alongside the pilot in a helicopter crash on the popular Greek tourist island of Sifnos.

The private helicopter plunged to the ground near a helipad in the Tholos area about 6.17pm local time on Monday, killing all three people on board, according to the Greek Fire Service.

The British couple had reportedly travelled from England to Greece for their honeymoon and were being flown by a private air taxi company, Greek news outlet in.gr reported.

Greek media identified the couple as Alexander Cromie and Marie Ebert, with the pilot named as Giorgos Raikos.

The pilot was an experienced Greek aviator and former military Chinook helicopter pilot who was also a father of three adult children.

The helicopter had taken off from Markopoulo in Attica and was due to land on Sifnos at 6.15pm before it crashed just short of the heliport

Two victims were found inside the wreckage, while a third was found dead a short distance from the helicopter, authorities said.

One of the passengers is believed to have jumped from the helicopter shortly before the crash in an apparent attempt to escape, in.gr reported.

A security camera captured the moments before the crash, with footage published showing the helicopter appearing to spin around its axis before plunging to the ground and bursting into flames.

Local reports said witnesses heard an unusually loud noise and saw smoke coming from the helicopter shortly before it crashed.