The lives of a Texas bride and groom were cut short when the helicopter that whisked them away from their fairytale wedding crashed into the side of a hill.
Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman, both 23, who were seniors at Sam Houston State University, died in the early hours of Sunday morning alongside their pilot, just hours after they said ‘I do’.
Their 76-year-old pilot, Gerald Lawrence also died. He was a Vietnam veteran, his wife told DailyMail.com on Monday.
Lawrence was a private commercial pilot who worked for the groom’s father’s helicopter business.
NTSB investigators described him as ‘highly qualified’ on Monday.
On Sunday, the aircraft went down in Ulvade, a mile from the ranch where they tied the knot in front of 700 guests, after around ten minutes in the air.
The NTSB, which is investigating the crash, said it happened at 1.47am. Local sheriffs, however, received reports of it at midnight.
Lawrence called 911 to report a problem with the aircraft before his death, his wife said. Search teams took hours to find the wreckage in the dark.
Lawrence was flying the couple to San Antonio Airport where they were due to catch a flight for their honeymoon.
The pilot’s wife said he had never had an accident before and was ‘very close’ to the Byler family who he worked for.
Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman, both 23, died on Sunday hours after getting married along with pilot Gerald Green Lawrence (right) when their helicopter crashed
Wedding guest Eric Smith, who shared the tragic news on Facebook, wrote: ‘The pilot, Jerry, was also on board. There were no survivors.’
Smith described the soiree as a fairytale wedding and said the couple was surrounded by friends and family as they departed into the sky.
Lawrence’s wife Hilda told DailyMail.com on Monday that he was a ‘fantastic’ husband.
‘He was the most fantastic funny, energetic man. Very humble and lovable man,’ she said.
She said he knew the Byler family ‘very well’.
The Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, game wardens, Border Patrol agents, the Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department and Uvalde Emergency Medical Services searched for the chopper and located the wreckage just around daybreak.
Bailee and Will shared an engagement photo from inside a helicopter after he proposed. The pair were both agriculture students who were due to graduate this year
The beaming bride and groom posed for joy filled photos with best friends on their last day on earth. Bailee pictured posing with her Maid of Honor Jessica Stilley
Lawrence was a Vietnam veteran who recently tied the knot too. He is pictured with his wife Hilda in April
It took them so long to find the couple and the pilot because they crashed in the ‘pitch dark’ onto the side of a mountain.
‘When we got to the site we knew what we were dealing with we saw a helicopter in a terrible state.
‘When we came, the family was, a lot of the family was there.
‘They had been dropped off by private helicopter,’ Texas Game Warden Rachel Kellner said at a press conference on Monday afternoon.
She said the bodies were ‘close enough’ to the wreckage for them to find them easily.
Jessica Stilley, Bailee’s maid of honor, paid a heart-wrenching tribute to her best friend.
‘My sweet Bailee Raye, my heart is broken in a million little pieces as I sit here and think of the rest of my life without my best friend.’‘
Will and Bailee were surrounded by friends in their wedding party on what was said to be the happiest day of their young lives
She added: ‘I’m so sad to even be captioning these pictures with this, but you know I just have to share with everyone how beautiful you looked on your wedding day like I normally would have.’
Jessica recalled crying tears of joy as she helped Bailee get ready for the biggest day of her young life.
‘I’m so happy you married the man of your dreams and found the precious love you deserved with him.
‘We always said we’d find the men to sweep us off our feet one day and boy am I’m so happy you get to be with him in the best forever you could imagine.
‘Thank you for loving me.’
The couple dressed more casually as the evening drew to a close, while a sign that read ‘How sweet it is to be loved by you’ welcomed guests into the reception
The beaming bride is seen being walked down the aisle by her father Shane Ackerman
After the couple became engaged, Bailee posted a loved upshot of them together. Her bright smile flashes at the camera while she holds up her engagement ring.
She captioned the image, ‘Thank you to everyone who sent us their best wishes when WE GOT ENGAGED!!!’
‘Will and I have the best support system out there, and I honestly cannot truly express how blessed we are.
‘I am in awe of you, Will Byler, and I hope that everyone gets to experience a love like the one we have.’
Her caption closes out: ‘Today is the beginning of forever TOGETHER!’
One of their engagement shots shows the couple beaming from inside a helicopter cockpit.
Will’s family member posted a touching tribute to the young couple gone too soon
The couple also bonded over a mutual affection for the rodeo life, with Will competing in college, and Bailee earning a spot as a rodeo princess
Madi Wagner, a friend of the couple, had poignant words for them after the tragedy: ‘I am having a hard time comprehending this whole situation, but I have not once asked why.
‘These two spent their last day on this earth celebrating with their most cherished loved ones- I believe it truly was the best day of their lives.
‘I know for certain God needed these two sweet souls more than we did here on earth.
‘I know for certain they have made him proud, for the work they have done here on earth as well.’
Madi continued: ‘To see all of the people that loved these two so greatly is a blessing. As a Christian, I know that God’s hands are upon them and what better honeymoon could anyone ever imagine than entering those gates and spending their first days as husband and wife at God’s right hand.’
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