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Jed Boal Reporting A helicopter has crashed in the rugged mountains of Nepal, killing all 24 people on board. A man with Utah ties was among them.
His love of people and animals took him around the world and often into harm's way.
The aircraft was carrying members of The World Wildlife Fund, along with an international delegation of environmentalists.
The helicopter crashed in the Himalayan Mountains. But its impact is being felt halfway around the world. That's because the parents of one of those killed lives in Layton.
Matthew Preece lived alongside the people in villages of Peru and India, helping them improve their lives. His work with the World Wildlife Fund took him to Nepal, where he died this weekend.
Preece's parent, however, say their son left a lasting impact on people around the globe.
Pictures of Matthew Preece span the globe. He studied turtles in Costa Rica and St. Croix, and worked to save them from predators.
He worked with Habitat for Humanity, building homes for those with no shelter.
By the age of 31, he was in Nepal with the World Wildlife Fund. They had just completed an environmental preservation project, giving the people management of a conservation area.
Stuart Preece/Father: "He was a caring person, particularly people who weren't the usual, people who weren't accepted."
He tried to understand them. Mathew Preece's parents say he dedicated his life to the people of the world and died trying to make their lives better.
Stuart Preece/Father: "He just wanted to know them and help them. They responded with their love and their concern. He knows people all over the world."
They just discovered he had 500 people in his e-mail address book. They're hearing from many of them now.
Vicki Preece/Mother: "He loved everything he did. He got excited every time he got a chance to go somewhere new."
Mathew Preece graduated from high school in New York. He spent childhood vacations here in Utah, with grandparents and great grandparents that instilled a love of nature.
Vicki Preece/Mother: "He was always sensitive to everyone's feelings. We were extremely proud of Matt and the man he was."
The Preeces say their son motivated many people to make a difference in the world around them. They hope that by telling his story, they'll inspire others to venture out into the world to help people improve their lives and their environment.
