Fathers’ tributes to Grand Canyon victims
Bad weather and rugged terrain hampered efforts
THE FATHERS of the two British brothers and the young woman killed in a helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon have spoken of 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, mainly from Surrey, had gone to celebrate Stuart Hill’s 30th birthday, Mr Hill’s father said.
The Rev David Hill said his sons were “incredibly close” and called his family “Team Hill”.
“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,” said the Rev Hill.
Ms Dobson’s father Peter Dobson said Becky was “looking forward to going to Vegas for her boyfriend’s 30th birthday to celebrate”.
“She was always happy,” he said. “They were really happy together, they were always going out and doing things, just enjoyed being with each other. The whole thing is just terrible.”
SURVIVORS WAITED over eight hours to be rescued from a helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon which killed a young receptionist and two British brothers.
Becky Dobson, 27 and brothers Jason Hill, 32, and Stuart Hill, 30, died in the incident 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 the pilot Scott Booth, 42, according to Arizona Central.
Dramatic images of the crash site show the wreckage lying at the bottom of a canyon, engulfed in flames.
One picture appears to show a woman, wearing jeans and a white top, fleeing the scene as the fire rages behind her.
Local media reports claim it took rescuers more than eight hours to get to the survivors and they were not airlifted from the scene until around 2am on Sunday.
Jonathan Udall from Southampton is currently being treated in hospital.
Lionel Douglass had been attending a wedding on a bluff about 1,000 yards away from where the helicopter burst into flames.
He told ABC News: “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.”
He said he saw the helicopter fall and hit the bottom with the “biggest explosion you ever heard and then flames like you never seen before”.
A series of smaller blasts followed, according to reports.
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.
“The terrain where the crash occurred ... is extremely rugged.”
He said first responders and rescuers had arrived at the scene within 30 minutes of the crash: “Without their valiant and diligent efforts to stabilize and rescue the survivors under extreme conditions, we may have had more loss of life.”
He told ABC News the tour originated in Boulder City, Nevada, and that a storm was rolling into the area at the time of the crash.
Mr Bradley described the weather conditions as “not normal”, but said no flight restrictions were in place.
He told News3LV that darkness and an initial lack of air support hampered the rescue effort.
The three victims who lost their lives in the crash included two brothers, Jason and Stuart Hill. Jason Hill was a corporate solicitor in Milton Keynes for firm Shoosmiths.
Ms Dobson had worked as a receptionist at Vets4Pets in Worthing, Surrey. On the company’s website she wrote: “I love my job and I am hoping to one day fulfil my dream of becoming a Veterinary Nurse!”
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. “
It further says: “At Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, safety is our top priority.”
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.”
Biggest explosion you ever heard and flames like you never seen Witness Lionel Douglass who was attending a wedding 1,000 yeards away.