HUNDREDS of mourners gathered to pay their respects to three people killed in a helicopter crash at the Grand Canyon.

Brothers Jason and Stuart Hill and his girlfriend Becky Dobson, all from Worthing, lost their lives last Saturday after the aircraft they were touring the landmark in crashed on tribal land.

Last night the community came together to remember the tragic end for the three at St Matthews Church in their home town.

More than 300 people packed into the church for the service, which ran from 6pm to 7pm.

There was standing room only, with a crowd of people queuing around the corner of Tarring Road, where the church is, for most of the service in the hope of giving their condolences.

Jason, 32, was a corporate lawyer working for Shoosmiths at their office in Milton Keynes.

They were holidaying in Las Vegas to celebrate younger brother Stuart’s 30th birthday.

Stuart was a car salesman at Lookers Mercedes-Benz branch in Portslade, and his girlfriend Becky, 27, a receptionist at Vets4Pets in Worthing.

Reverend David Hill and his wife Sandra, parents of Jason and Stuart, attend the church.

They described their sons as “remarkable people”.

Mr Hill is also a Baptist minister on its preaching team.

Speaking to reporters outside the church, Rev Hill said everything was “incredibly raw”.

He added that he would “cry his eyes out” at the service.

He said he was thinking of all six “wonderful people” involved in the tragedy, and hoped veterinary receptionist Ms Dobson would one day have become his daughter-in-law.

Rev Hill said: “If I say one thing to the people listening: When you next see your children or anyone who matters the most to you, give them a hug.

“It may sound very trivial but the very last thing that I gave my children was a hug.

“That hug I will remember for the rest of my life.”

Alongside the Hills was the family of Ms Dobson.

Rev Hill believes tragedies such as these show the good of the community.

The service showed the church and Worthing “at its best”, because of how people pull together.

He added: “They proved that [before] in the Shoreham disaster they could be there for people.”

Andrew Fadoju, a minister at Worthing’s Elim Church, is a friend of the Hill family.

He said: “When I heard about the crash I was shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness for the families.

“They were the kind of children any parent would be proud of.

“It is such a shame they have been taken in the prime of life.”

Rev Sara-Jane Stevens led the prayers and a period of reflection.

There were also selected pieces of music including See You Again by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth.

Rev Stevens remembered Jason and Stuart as “loving” and “full of mischief”.

She added: “[The family] are broken.

“Part of their very soul has been taken in the death of their children. I don’t know how they get through this but I will be there for them.”

Seven candles were lit - three of which were purple in memory of those who died and four white symbols of hope for the survivors still in hospital.

Prayers were also said for the survivors - honeymooners Ellie Milward, 29, and 32-year-old Jonathan Udall. The couple, along with Jennifer Barham, 39, all remain in hospital after suffering critical injuries.

Pilot Scott Booth was also injured.