Heartbreaking Crash Takes Lives of Family Coming Home from Baseball Tournament

A devastating plane crash on June 30 took the lives of a family of five. They were visiting upstate New York for a youth baseball event.

They were flying in a Piper Malibu Mirage, a single-engine plane, which had taken off from Oneonta Municipal Airport in central New York. It crashed in Masonville, New York, which is about 90 miles southeast of Syracuse, according to CNN.

The deceased were Roger Beggs, 76; Laura VanEpps, 43; Ryan VanEpps, 42; James R. VanEpps, 12; and Harrison VanEpps, 10.

After attending events in Cooperstown, New York, the family was heading back to Georgia. Cooperstown is famous for its baseball tournaments and the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The local police got a tip about a possible crash at 2 p.m. on Sunday. They started searching near Lake Cecil Road using helicopters, drones, and ATVs. They found the crash site and the aircraft after a thorough search.

Roger Beggs, who was flying the plane, had planned to stop in West Virginia to refuel before heading to Atlanta, as reported by People.

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. https://t.co/HZU0YzDg1x

— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) July 1, 2024

Georgia’s Governor, Brian Kemp, posted a message of condolence on X, which was Twitter, on Monday, July 1. He asked for prayers for the families of Beggs and VanEpps and offered his deepest sympathy.

Ryan VanEpps’ sister, Ansley, also expressed her deep sadness over losing her family members.

The FAA, NTSB, and state police are working together to find out why the plane crashed.

Ansley VanEpps shared her deep sadness about the loss of her family.