Helicopter crash kills founder of dating agency

A mysterious helicopter crash has killed the British multimillionaire founder of an internet dating agency and a close aide he recruited in a bizarre advert.

Christopher Matthews, 54, died when his private craft slammed into a house near a lake in Wisconsin after seeming to go out of control.

At his side was aide Jim Beauregard, a former US marine captain who won the £100,000 post from 1,000 other applicants after Mr Matthews advertised last year for "a highly intelligent workaholic with the skin of a rhinoceros".

The advert also warned: ''If you are married, get divorced now because you will never see your partner again." Both men were killed instantly when the eight-seater helicopter became tangled in overhead power lines, then exploded on impact.

Witnesses said that the helicopter, piloted by Mr Matthews, looked as if it was buzzing the shores of the lake moments before the tragedy.

The eccentric British tycoon, who founded Club Sirius, an on-line dating agency for professional singles, is believed to have been on holiday.

Accident investigators said the Eurocopter EC 130 was nearly new and had only logged 200 hours of flight time.