A fire fighting helicopter of type Ericson with three people onboard made an emergency sea landing in the Gulf of Elefsina, western Attica, early afternoon on Tuesday.
The pilot, a co-pilot and one third person – two Americans and one Greek – managed to jump into the water and were seen swimming toward the shore that it was about 3 nautical miles away.
They were ultimately picked up by a private boat and later by a Coast Guard boat that brought them to the coast where three ambulances waited for them and transferred them to a hospital mostly for preventive reasons.
Only the co-pilot has reportedly a deep cut in his hand, which is not considered as serious, though.
The helicopter was operating in the fire fighting of a blaze in nearby Aspropyrgos and was a few miles off the coast. It was reportedly leased by the Fire Service form the Ericson companyover the fire fighting season. On board were 2 Americans, the pilot and a co-pilot, as well as a Greek translator.
According to state broadcaster ERT, the helicopter had approached the sea surface to fill water when the pilot realized he could not lift it up and gain height again.
The three men abandoned the helicopter that quickly turned on the side.
Meanwhile, and based on latest information, the helicopter sank into the bottom of the sea.
The reason for the accident is not known, so far.
