Britons killed in US copter crash named

grand canyon: Three victims were in Las Vegas for a 30th birthday celebration

The fathers of the two brothers and the young woman killed in a helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon have described their “always happy” and “incredibly close” children.

Becky Dobson, 27, was on holiday with boyfriend Stuart Hill, 30, and his brother Jason Hill, 32, when they were killed in the helicopter crash at 5.20pm local time on Saturday.

Ellie Milward, 29, Jonathan Udall, 32, and Jennifer Barham, 39, were airlifted to University Medical Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada, along with pilot Scott Booth, 42, according to Arizona Central.

The group had gone away to celebrate Stuart Hill’s 30th birthday.

Stuart and Jason Hill’s father, the Rev David Hill, said: “The two brothers loved each other and were very close, and so our misfortune is their support – because they went together, and I will thank God every day for them”.

Ms Dobson’s father Peter Dobson said Becky was “full of life and looking forward to going to Vegas for her boyfriend’s 30th birthday to celebrate”.

Lionel Douglass, who had been attending a wedding on a bluff about 1,000 yards from where the helicopter burst into flames, said: “I had taken my phone and I was zooming in to see if I could see anybody and a lady walked out of the flames and I just lost it.”

Hualapai Police chief Francis Bradley said: “It’s a very tragic incident.

“Yesterday, we were hampered by severe weather conditions, we had gusts up to 50mph.”

Mr Bradley said darkness and an initial lack of air support hampered the rescue effort.

Jason Hill was a corporate solicitor in Milton Keynes for firm Shoosmiths.

Ms Dobson had worked as a receptionist at Vets4Pets in Worthing, Surrey.

The helicopter tour was run by

Papillon.

The company’s website states: “With more than 50 years flying the Grand Canyon and beyond,

“Papillon is the largest and most experienced helicopter tour operator in the world.”

In a statement reported by local news, Papillon Group chief executive Brenda Halvorson said: “It is with extreme sadness we extend our heartfelt sympathy to the families involved in this accident.

“Our top priority is the care and needs of our passengers and our staff.”

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Allen Kenitzer said the Eurocopter EC130 crashed in unknown circumstances and sustained heavy damage.

An investigation will take place. 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 February 10, and we are in close contact with the US emergency services.”

The two brothers loved each other and were very close, and soour misfortune is their support – because they went together and I will thank God every day for them. REV DAVID HILL

Pictures: UNAS/PA. Becky Dobson, 27, was in Arizona with her boyfriend Stuart Hill, below, and his brother Jason. They all died when the helicopter they were in crashed in the Grand Canyon.