Fifth victim of Grand Canyon helicopter crash dies

February 27, 2018

LAS VEGAS — Nevada authorities say a British tourist who was pulled from the wreckage of a fiery helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon has died from her injuries, bringing the total number of deaths from the crash up to five. Clark County Coroner John Fudenberg has confirmed that 29-year-old Ellie Milward Udall died Sunday at University Medical Center.

Milward had been in critical condition since the Feb. 10 crash. Her husband, Jonathan Udall, died last week from injuries suffered in the same crash.

Milward’s family said it was “with great sadness” that they announced their daughter had died in the hospital, according to the BBC.

“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 (University Medical Centre, Las Vegas),” a statement reads.

The couple had been on their honeymoon with a group of fellow Britons visiting Las Vegas when a sightseeing helicopter they were flying in crashed in the Grand Canyon.

In this Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018, photo, a survivor, lower right, walks away from the scene of a deadly tour helicopter crash along the jagged rocks of the Grand Canyon, in Arizona.

Teddy Fujimoto / AP

Three people — 30-year-old Stuart Hill, his girlfriend, 27-year-old Becky Dobson, and 32-year-old Jason Hill — died the day of the crash. According to the BBC, the trio visited the U.S. for Stuart’s 30th birthday. Jason worked as a corporate lawyer, Stuart was a salesman at Mercedes-Benz and Becky worked as a veterinary receptionist.

Two other people — 39-year-old Jennifer Barham and the pilot, 42-year-old Scott Booth — were injured in the crash, according to the BBC. They remain hospitalized in critical condition.

The cause of the crash is being investigated by the NTSB. An initial report indicates a possible mechanical problem occurred. Gusty winds may have been a contributing factor.