Newlyweds died of ‘burns complications’ from Grand Canyon helicopter crash

The newlyweds rescued from the wreckage of a helicopter that crashed in the Grand Canyon during their honeymoon both died from complications of their burns, a coroner has said.

Ellie Milward, 29, died in a Las Vegas hospital 15 days after the crash due to “complications of thermal injury”, the Clark County coroner said on Tuesday.

Her husband Jonathan Udall, 31, was previously given the same cause of death following the February 10 crash which also killed three other Britons.

In a statement, her family said: “It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of our daughter Eleanor Udall (nee Milward) as a result of the injuries she sustained in the Grand Canyon helicopter crash on 10 February, 2018.

“The family are exceedingly grateful for everything done by rescue services and volunteers in the Canyon, and throughout the last two weeks by the exceptional staff at UMC.”

Chris Tucker, a friend who founded a JustGiving crowdfunding page, paid tribute to the “wonderful couple”.

“Yesterday Ellie lost her battle to her injuries, the only consolation I can muster is that she is no longer in pain and is, I hope, with Jon,” he wrote on the website.

The couple’s friends, Becky Dobson, 27, her boyfriend Stuart Hill, 30, and his brother Jason Hill, 32, all from Worthing, died when the Airbus EC130 B4 crashed shortly before sunset.

They had also been celebrating Stuart Hill’s 30th birthday with a trip to Las Vegas.

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

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.