A Bermuda resident and his new bride watched in horror as a helicopter crashed into the Grand Canyon and exploded moments after they exchanged their vows.

According to British media reports, Chris Parish, who works at Nephila Capital, had gone to the Nevada landmark on February 10 to marry his fiancée, Anna Haglund.

Minutes after the quiet ceremony, they looked on as a helicopter spun out of control and crashed into the ground.

Five British tourists were killed in the accident and the pilot and a sixth passenger were injured.

Ms Haglund wrote to her 502 Instagram followers that she and Mr Parish were to wed in April, but decided to get legally married sooner because of paperwork problems.

“The plan was to keep this secret. Things didn’t go as planned,” she said.

“Shortly after our ceremony in Grand Canyon, a helicopter crashed and exploded in front of our eyes. It’s hard to believe what we witnessed but unfortunately it’s true.”

She later posted: “Chris and I care very little that our day was ruined ... people lost their lives and didn’t make it out of Grand Canyon that day.

“Due to the shock, I even have limited memories of the ceremony. Our April wedding will be the day when we fully embrace our marriage and love for each other.

“We do wear our wedding bands, though. We were planning on taking them off but the tragedy in Grand Canyon is a reminder of how lucky we are to have each other and that we never want to be apart.”

Mr Parish declined yesterday to comment on the incident.

The National Transportation Safety Board in the United States has launched an investigation into the crash.

An initial report suggested a mechanical problem or gusts may have caused the accident.

Those killed in the crash were Becky Dobson, newlyweds Jonathan and Eleanor Udall and brothers Stuart and Jason Hill.