A British pilot survived a helicopter crash while assisting firefighting efforts in Greece on Sunday, authorities and family members confirmed. The incident occurred near Athens during operations to control widespread wildfires in the region.

Andrew Hutchinson, 48, was involved in a mid-air collision between two firefighting helicopters. The crash resulted in the deaths of two individuals, though Hutchinson and an accompanying officer escaped the wreckage before the helicopter exploded. According to his uncle, Michael Hutchinson, the pilot managed to land the damaged helicopter despite the loss of its rotor blades, an outcome described as “miraculous.”

The crash site was in a wooded area where the helicopter reportedly came down heavily. Emergency responders treated Hutchinson for a back injury, and he underwent surgery following the accident. Medical sources indicate that he is expected to be repatriated to the United Kingdom in the near future for further recovery.

Hutchinson, a father of three from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was part of an international effort to combat the ongoing wildfires that have affected large areas of Greece this summer. The wildfires have prompted emergency responses involving multiple countries providing aerial firefighting support, including crews operating helicopters and planes.

Greek authorities continue to investigate the cause of the mid-air collision, while firefighting efforts persist amid high temperatures and dry conditions. The loss of two personnel in the crash underscores the risks faced by those involved in aerial firefighting missions.