A mother and father have paid tribute to their beloved sons who were killed in the Grand Canyon helicopter crash, saying they feel ‘blessed to have had them’ in their lives.
Stuart, 30, and Jason Hill, 32, were on the ‘trip of a lifetime’ to celebrate Stuart’s 30th birthday with his girlfriend Becky Dobson , 27, who died alongside the brothers and three other friends, who are fighting for their lives.
In a heartwrenching tribute to the pair, their parents Sandra Hill and the Reverend David Hill said their sons were ‘remarkable people’ who will be ‘deeply missed by many people’.
Stuart, 30, (left) and Jason Hill, 32, (right) died when the helicopter they were in crashed in the Grand Canyon
Mr and Mrs Hill said they would ‘find some support in knowing they were with each other to the last’.
In a statement paying tribute to the brothers from West Sussex, the grieving parents said: ‘We have a large extended family and Jason and Stuart were always at the heart of it, organising get-togethers and always with time for others.
Stuart and Jason Hill died in the crash
‘If ever either of us came home after a difficult day, Jason or Stuart would be there with a smile or a hug, and that was all we needed to lift our spirits again.
‘We always did things as a family and as parents we feel blessed to have had them in our lives.
‘Our sons were happy, outgoing people who loved cycling, walking and spending time with family and friends.’
The family said they were in America to celebrate Stuart’s 30th birthday.
Jason’s girlfriend Jennifer Barham, 39, and their friends, newlywed couple Ellie Milward, 29, and Jonathan Udall, 32, remain in a critical condition in hospital.
The three couples were touring the Hualapai Nation reservation near the Grand Canyon’s West Rim when their helicopter crashed in the deep gauge.
Pilot Scott Booth, 42, was also airlifted to hospital.
Mr and Mrs Hill (pictured with their sons as babies) said they would ‘find some support in knowing they were with each other to the last’
Ellie Milward and her husband Jonathan Udall (pictured left on their wedding day) were airlifted to hospital with serious injuries in a crash that killed their friends Becky Dobson and Stuart Hill (right)
The three couples were touring the Hualapai Nation reservation near the Grand Canyon’s West Rim when their helicopter crashed in the deep gauge
Jason studied law at the University of Southampton, graduating in 2007 with a 2:1.
He completed his training at the College of Law in Guildford, Surrey, before joining Shoosmiths. In September 2011, he became a corporate solicitor at the national firm.
Stuart was a salesman with Mercedes Benz car retailer Lookers.
Mr Hill added: ‘Our hearts go out to Becky’s family at this terrible time and we are praying for the recovery of Jen, Jonathan and Ellie (survivors Jennifer Barham, Jonathan Udall and Ellie Milward).
‘It was typical of them that they wanted to be together to celebrate. Jason and Stuart had an incredible bond with each other right from when they were young children.
‘We always said they were so close they were like twins and we will find some support in knowing they were with each other to the last.
‘We will thank God every day for having them in our lives.’
Sarah Udall, Jonathan Udall’s sister, wrote on Facebook: My brother and his beautiful wife Ellie were injured in a helicopter accident in Las Vegas it’s going to be a long hard road to recovery but they are strong’
Sarah Udall, Jonathan Udall’s sister, wrote on Facebook: My brother and his beautiful wife Ellie were injured in a helicopter accident in Las Vegas it’s going to be a long hard road to recovery but they are strong.’
The couple’s friend Chris Tucker has since set up a Just Giving page to raise money to repatriate the pair.