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Fourth Briton dies after Grand Canyon helicopter crash Fourth Briton dies after Grand Canyon helicopter crash
(about 11 hours later)
A man has died of injuries sustained in a Grand Canyon helicopter crash which also killed three other Britons. Colleagues have paid tribute to a newlywed who became the fourth Briton to die after a helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon while he was on his honeymoon.
Jonathan Udall, 32, is understood to have been on honeymoon with Ellie Milward, 29, touring the Arizona attraction on an Airbus EC130 B4 when it crashed just before sunset on Saturday 10 February. Jonathan Udall died in a Las Vegas hospital on Thursday, 12 days after the accident, Clark County coroner John Fudenberg said.
The pair were being treated in hospital in the US, alongside Jennifer Barham, 39, and the pilot, Scott Booth, 42. The 31-year-old, originally from Southampton, was a regional manager in the south-east for Yorkshire Building Society, where he had worked for nearly 10 years.
More than £21,000 has been raised for Udall and Milward on a JustGiving crowdfunding webpage. Chris Tucker, who set up the page, wrote on Thursday: “It is with a very heavy heart that I must type this. Our good friend Jon Udall has succumbed to his injuries. Friends said Udall’s wife, Ellie Milward, 29, who is also a manager at the company, is in a critical condition. She is believed to be receiving treatment in the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada after the crash at the Arizona tourist attraction.
The company’s chief executive, Mike Regnier, said in a statement on Friday that Udall was “well-known and well-loved” by colleagues and everyone was “deeply shocked and saddened” by his death.
He added: “Jon was hugely passionate about his job and making sure customers got the best service possible.
“We are in touch with his and Ellie’s families and send them our deepest condolences. We hope to hear positive news about Ellie soon.
“We are offering colleagues, who are obviously shaken by this news, support at this upsetting time.”
The couple’s friends, Becky Dobson, 27, her boyfriend Stuart Hill, 30, and his brother Jason Hill, 32, died when the Airbus EC130 B4 crashed shortly before sunset on 10 February.
They had also been celebrating Stuart Hill’s 30th birthday with a trip to Las Vegas.
More than £22,000 has been raised for the newlyweds on a JustGiving crowdfunding page.
Friend Chris Tucker, who set up the page, wrote on Thursday: “It is with a very heavy heart that I must type this. Our good friend Jon Udall has succumbed to his injuries.
“He was strong, brave and I will never forget him. I will update this page when possible. Ellie is critical and is continuing to fight.”“He was strong, brave and I will never forget him. I will update this page when possible. Ellie is critical and is continuing to fight.”
Becky Dobson, 27, her boyfriend Stuart Hill, 30, and his brother Jason Hill, 32, all died in the accident. The trio, who were from Worthing, West Sussex, had been celebrating Stuart’s 30th birthday with a trip to Las Vegas. The Mohave County medical examiner previously said multiple injuries killed Becky Dobson and the Hill brothers, all originally from Worthing, West Sussex.
Hundreds of mourners attended a memorial service for the victims last week. Seven candles were lit – three of which were purple in memory of those who died and four white symbols of hope for the survivors in hospital. Two others – Jennifer Barham, 39, and pilot Scott Booth, 42 – were also treated in hospital.
The helicopter crashed on tribal land in a section of the Grand Canyon outside the national park, where air tours are not as highly regulated. Hundreds of mourners attended a memorial service in Worthing to pay tribute to the victims last week.
The cause of the crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. Investigators will interview witnesses, survivors, the helicopter operator and manufacturer and others before issuing a full report in at least a year’s time. Seven candles were lit, three of them purple in memory of those who died and four white symbols of hope for those still in hospital at that time.
Preliminary findings are expected before the end of the month. The helicopter crashed on tribal land in a section of the Grand Canyon outside of the national park, where air tours are not as highly regulated.
Following the crash, a Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We are providing support to the families of six British visitors involved in a helicopter accident at the Grand Canyon on 10 February, and we are in close contact with the US emergency services.” The cause of the crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board.
A preliminary report said witnesses saw the helicopter do at least two 360-degree turns before hitting the ground.
Investigators will interview witnesses, survivors, the helicopter operator and manufacturer and others before issuing a full report, expected to take at least a year.
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