A British tourist has died in front of his brother after being hit by a tail rotor when he got out of a helicopter in Spata, near Athens.

It’s believed the 22-year-old was not aware the helicopter’s propeller was still spinning when he exited the aircraft and moved towards the rear. 

Police in Athens have arrested three people, two members of the ground crew at the site of the accident and the pilot of the Bell 407 helicopter, with the latter facing charges of negligent homicide.

According to Skai.gr, the 22-year-old was part of a group of vacationing Britons who had hired two helicopters to take them island hopping. 

They had just flown back from Mykonos when the young man walked behind the helicopter while its engine was still running and was struck in the head by the tail rotor’s blades.

The young man’s parents were in the other helicopter on its way to the same spot following a flight from Mykonos.

The first pilot radioed to their helicopter to tell them about the accident.

A source told The Sun: “The pilot saw what had happened and decided to spare the parents the sight of their son – it was horrendous. He flew on to another helipad at Athens where the couple were consoled as it was confirmed that the young man was dead.”

Featured image credit: ATHENA via The Sun