The Greek interpreter who survived the fatal midair collision between two firefighting helicopters has told investigators that three helicopters were taking part in the wildfire operation, according to Vasilis Lambropoulos, police reporter for the newspapers To Vima and Ta Nea, speaking to MEGA television.
According to Lambropoulos, the injured interpreter told officers from the Homicide Division that the crew had already coordinated with the first helicopter, which was carrying out a water drop at the time and was not involved in the collision.
He said the helicopter he was aboard was preparing to make its own water drop when it suddenly struck an unknown object.
The crew immediately proceeded with the water drop. According to his testimony, it was only later that they learned the object they had collided with was another firefighting helicopter.
The interpreter also told investigators that the aircraft’s collision warning system never sounded, despite the helicopters being equipped with such technology.
He added that the crew had visually spotted the second helicopter shortly before the accident and that he had alerted the British pilot in command. However, they subsequently lost all visual contact with the aircraft.
At the same time, investigators from the Homicide Division are taking statements from the Australian pilot and the Greek interpreter aboard the third helicopter that participated in the same firefighting operation.
Investigators have also obtained communication records from the Hellenic Fire Service’s operations center, which are expected to help clarify the circumstances that led to the collision.
Firefighters Recall the Moment of Impact
More than ten firefighters were operating near the crash site when the collision occurred. They say what they witnessed went far beyond what can be seen in the widely circulated video of the accident.
“It was terrifying,” one firefighter said. “We saw both helicopters coming. We believe one couldn’t see the other. One was approaching from below, flying through the ravine where it was operating. The other appeared to be heading in for reconnaissance, which is why it was moving quickly. Neither crew had visual contact with the other. None at all.”
The first helicopter—the one carrying the Greek and Danish crew members who lost their lives—crashed onto the roadway just a few yards from where firefighters were positioned.
“We’re still in shock. What happened feels unreal,” another firefighter said. “When we respond to wildfires, we know there’s a chance we could become trapped or burned. But we never imagined a helicopter would crash just 50 meters away or that two aircraft would collide directly above us. Debris was flying everywhere. It was like metal was raining down around us.”
Accident investigators have since examined the crash site, and their findings are expected to play a key role in determining how the fatal collision occurred.
