Grand Canyon Helicopter Crash Claims Fourth British Victim, Jonathan Udall

Victim's wife, Ellie Milward, remains in a critical condition.
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A husband who was on his honeymoon has become the fourth Briton to die following a helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon.

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

The 32-year-old’s wife, Ellie Milward, 29, is still believed to be in a critical condition in University Medical Centre of Southern Nevada after the crash at the Arizona tourist attraction.

Jonathan Udall has become the fourth Briton to die following a helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon, his wife Ellie Milward, remains in a critical condition
Jonathan Udall has become the fourth Briton to die following a helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon, his wife Ellie Milward, remains in a critical condition
Justgiving

Their 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 £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.

Stuart Hill, 30, left and his brother Jason Hill, 32, died alongside Becky Dobson, 27
Stuart Hill, 30, left and his brother Jason Hill, 32, died alongside Becky Dobson, 27
PA

“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. ”

Udall was a regional manager in the south east for Yorkshire Building Society, where he had worked for nearly 10 years. His wife was also a manager at the company.

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 Mohave County Medical Examiner previously said that multiple injuries killed 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.

Becky Dobson, 27, was also killed in the crash
Becky Dobson, 27, was also killed in the crash
Becky Dobson/Facebook

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.

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.

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