A family outing ended in tragedy this weekend as a small plane crash claimed the lives of five individuals.
A family from Georgia was decimated when their plane crashed in upstate New York while returning from a baseball tournament.
According to Daily Mail, the aircraft, identified as a Piper PA-46, encountered fatal problems and went down in a secluded wooded region near Sidney in Delaware County. This location is approximately 40 miles northeast of Binghamton and 125 miles northwest of New York City.
Family's Joyful Weekend Ends in Heartbreak
The victims of this devastating accident were Laura VanEpps, 43, her husband Ryan VanEpps, 42, their children, James, 12, and Harrison, 10, along with their 76-year-old grandfather, Roger Beggs, who was piloting the aircraft. They were traveling from Cooperstown, where they had attended a youth baseball tournament.
The crash was reported around 2 pm on Sunday. The search for the wreckage involved drones, all-terrain vehicles, and helicopters, culminating in the discovery of the crash site Sunday night in the town of Masonville.
The family lived in Alpharetta, Georgia, and had attended the tournament where James had notably hit a home run. Their journey back to Cobb County International Airport in Atlanta included a planned fuel stop in West Pennsylvania.
Community Mourns the Loss of VanEpps Family
The community has been pouring out tributes and memories, highlighting the close-knit nature of the family. At the Oneonta baseball ground, players arranged their gloves to form the initials "J. R." in a poignant homage to the deceased.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is being conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). This tragic event has sparked an outpour of grief from the community and beyond.
Jim Van Epps, the father of Ryan, expressed the depth of the family's grief: "It's just a massive tragedy for our family and the end of five great lives, especially young lives."
Statements of Condolence and Remembrance
In the wake of the tragedy, the VanEpps family released a statement on Facebook: "As we grapple with this unimaginable loss, let us come together to remember and celebrate the beautiful lives they lived. Their kindness, laughter, and love will forever be etched in our hearts."
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also shared his sympathy, stating, "As we learn of this tragic news, please join Marty, the girls, and me in praying for the loved ones of the Beggs and VanEpps families. We offer our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved them."
Neighbor Caroline Slayton from Atlanta shared her memories, "We were neighbors. We would see each other every day, and we'd always say hi to the fleets and they would come over sometimes. They just lived across the street, and we would always wave and say hi and they were lovely."
Conclusion
The community is mourning the tragic loss of a beloved family and their grandfather after their plane crashed in a local wooded area. The VanEpps family, including Roger Beggs, who piloted the ill-fated Piper PA-46, had been returning from a joyful weekend at a youth baseball tournament.
The local community and wider circles touched by this tragedy are paying their respects as investigations by the FAA and NTSB are underway to unravel the cause of this distressing incident. Governor Kemp and neighbors and family members have expressed their profound condolences and remembered the family for the light they brought into the lives of those around them.
