Parents of Brit who died after honeymoon helicopter crash in Grand Canyon win £78million damages
THE parents of a honeymoon Brit who died after a Grand Canyon helicopter crash have won £78million damages.
Jonathan Udall was burned on 90 per cent of his body when the chopper spun out of control and caught fire after hitting rocks.
The 31-year-old, from Southampton, died after 12 days in hospital.
New wife Ellie, 29, passed away a few days later.
Pals Becky Dobson, 27, Stuart Hill, 30, and Jason Hill, 32, all of West Sussex, died at the scene in 2018.
Mr Udall’s parents Philip and Marlene sued for wrongful death.
A judge in Nevada ruled they should get £59million from France’s Airbus Helicopters SAS and £19million from operator Papillon Airways.
The Udalls’ lawyer, Gary C Robb, said: “The family wanted to shine a spotlight on this . . . too many helicopters have this very unsafe, flimsy fuel tank.”
Mr Robb said the hard-plastic tanks were prone to rupture in hard landings, adding: “The fuel pours on to the passengers, then ignites. It’s just horrible.”
A 2021 report concluded strong tailwinds likely caused the crash.
Pilot Scott Booth lost both legs. Jennifer Barham also survived.
Papillon has since fitted safer fuel tanks.