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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
World
Sophie Collins

Haunting new details released by investigators after Greece holidaymaker killed by helicopter blade

Haunting new details have been released by investigators in the aftermath of the horrific death of a British tourist after he was decapitated by helicopter propellors in Greece.

Jack Fenton was returning to Athens after a holiday on the island of Mykonos via helicopter when he was instantly killed after being hit in the head after landing.

There were initial reports that the 22-year-old was fatally injured while trying to take a selfie, but an air accident investigator has debunked this rumour and said he was not trying to take a photo of himself in his final moments.

READ MORE: Man decapitated by helicopter rotor while 'taking a selfie'

Details have since emerged that suggest he ran towards the back of the helicopter with a phone to his ear, the Daily Star reported.

Athens accident investigation chief Ioannis Kondylis said: "From the testimonies we have collected, it does not appear from anywhere that the young man wanted to take a selfie.

"What is reported is that the 22-year-old was holding a mobile phone and had it to his ear, but it has not yet been clarified whether he was talking.”

He went on to say: "We have taken statements from both the pilot and the two ground staff. These are testimonies that must then be cross-referenced.

"According to them, it appears that all the regulations stipulated by the helicopter's manual were observed. One ground employee went to the left door, one to the right, they disembarked and escorted them 20 metres to the building.

“Then one stayed with them and the other ground attendant returned to the helicopter. The young passenger, unknown for what reason, returned to the helicopter.

"We don't know why he came back. He didn't say anything to anyone. According to the testimonies, he was holding a mobile phone which he had to his ear, without us knowing if he was talking to someone.

"When one of the ground staff saw him walking towards the helicopter he shouted loudly in English 'stop, stop, stop' but he didn't listen.

"The ground staff's voices were also heard by the captain who was inside the helicopter and was wearing headphones. So they shouted out loud.

Four rotor, seven passenger helicopter. Bell 407. (Getty Images)

“The young man, according to the statements, had exited through the right door and did not head back to his seat. He went under the tail section of the helicopter and ended up on the left side where he was hit by the rotor, which at the speed it was turning was not visible.”

Mr Fenton was on board the aircraft with friends and his sister as they returned from Mykonos on a Bell 407 helicopter, while his mother and father followed behind on a separate flight.

Moments after his death, his parents were redirected to another heliport, to save them having to witness their son’s body.

Jack’s mum Victoria described her son as “wonderful” and said that the family were “devastated”.

She told the MailOnline: “We only found out what happened at 10pm last night. We are completely devastated. He was the most wonderful boy. I think the pilot is in custody, but it was the most horrible of accidents by the looks of it.”

She added that her son had exited the helicopter safely after it landed, but then went behind it and was killed instantly by the rear propeller. Three people, including a pilot, were arrested at the scene in connection with his death.

Mr Fenton, who studied at Oxford Brookes University, was described as “very popular” by the head teacher of his former school in Maidstone, Kent.

James Thomas, headmaster of Sutton Valence School, said: “Our school was very sad to hear the tragic news about Jack... He was a very popular member of the community, and we have sent our condolences to the family.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the incident.”

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