Bachelorette contestant Eric Jonathan Hill, 31 died Wednesday as a result of injuries he suffered in a Utah paragliding accident. The accident occurred on Sunday in Draper at the popular paragliding spot, Point of the Mountain.
He was about 15 to 20 feet from the ground when his canopy collapsed and he went flying into the mountainside. The high velocity of the crash into the hillside caused the serious trauma that led to his death.
Eric comes from a big family in Utah. He has 4 brothers and a sister. We know that he has 4 brothers and 1 sister. Scott, 36, Brian, 29, Brett, 22 and Darren and a sister name Karen Tracy, 34. He has a father David Hill, a professor at Folsom Lake College and a mother Dana Hill. His family was with him at the hospital.
Eric Hill Bachelorette 2014: Bio, Photos, Twitter
One of Eric’s brothers, Brian Hill, said doctors at University Hospital removed him from life support Tuesday night, but Eric Hill died early Wednesday morning.
Brian Hill explains to the SLC Tribune that his brother’s chute deployed, but then collapsed.
“When he pulled the chute there was an issue with the chute that took him too close to the mountain and kind of slammed him into the mountain.”
Eric Hill was a Brigham Young graduate. He started a project called The Global Odyssey where he was trying to visit all 195 countries recognized by the United Nations in a three years, three months and six days.
“He was quite a world traveler,” Brian Hill said. “[Paragliding] was run-of-the-mill compared to most of his other activities.”
“He would want people to remember him for living life to the fullest,” Brian Hill said. “He loved people and he just wanted people to realize just how great people were all around the world.”
Eric Hill is survived by his parents, four brothers and a sister.
Eric’s sister asked for prayers after the crash occurred on Sunday on her Facebook page, “I know I don’t post much, but if you happen to read this, please pray for my brother. He’s in critical condition after a paragliding accident at Point of the Mountain in Draper, UT.”
Then she announced that he had died. Karen Tracey wrote on her Facebook page:
“Eric shared his final journey with us this morning as all his immediate family were able to be at his side when he passed away. Thank you to all of your love and support and prayers and fasting,” …… “He gave us such a gift of a life fully lived and fully shared, and allowed us all to be a part of his last adventure here on earth. It is hard to think of life without his bright spark, but we know he is on to new adventures.”
It remains to be seen how ABC will handle this difficult situation.
(Here are more details on the accident)
Here is some video of Eric….
Chris Harrison, fellow Bachelor producers & Brooks Forester weigh in on Eric Hill’s tragic death
Funeral Services for Eric Hill will be held Saturday, April 26th in Salt Lake City.
Photo Source: Instgram