Tributes paid to fourth Briton to die in Grand Canyon helicopter crash

Colleagues have paid tribute to a husband who became the fourth Briton to die after a helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon while he was on his honeymoon.

Jonathan Udall died in a Las Vegas hospital on Thursday, 12 days after the accident, Clark County coroner John Fudenberg said.

The 31-year-old, who is originally from Southampton, was a regional manager in the south east for Yorkshire Building Society, where he had worked for nearly 10 years.

Friends said Mr Udall's wife Ellie Milward, 29, who is also a manager at the company, is in a critical condition and is thought to be receiving treatment in the University Medical Centre 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 Mr 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."

Undated family handout file photo issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of Stuart Hill, 30 (left) and his brother Jason Hill, 32, who both died (Family handout/PA)
Undated family handout file photo issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of Stuart Hill, 30 (left) and his brother Jason Hill, 32, who both died (Family handout/PA)

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 February 10.

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 succumb 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. "

The Mohave County Medical Examiner previously said multiple injuries killed Ms Dobson and the Hill brothers, all originally from Worthing, West Sussex.

Two others - Jennifer Barham, 39, and pilot Scott Booth, 42 - were also treated in hospital.

Mourners gathered for a memorial service for Stuart and Jason Hill, killed in a helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon (Gareth Fuller/PA)
Mourners gathered for a memorial service for Stuart and Jason Hill, killed in a helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Hundreds of mourners attended a memorial service in Worthing to pay tribute to 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 those still in hospital at that time.

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.

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 in at least a year's time.

Advertisement