Two boys who died along with their parents and grandfather in a small plane crash following a baseball tournament in upstate New York are being remembered by their families and loved ones as promising stars.
James Van Epps, 12, and Harrison Van Epps, 10, died along with their parents, Laura and Ryan Van Epps, both 42, when a plane piloted by their maternal grandfather, Roger Beggs, crashed in Masonville on Sunday afternoon.
“This is a great tragedy for our family and the end of five wonderful lives, especially young lives,” paternal grandfather Jim Van Epps said.
The family was on a plane returning to their home in Milton, outside Atlanta, after watching 12-year-old James’ baseball team play in a tournament in Cooperstown, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The grandfather said both sons were talented athletes and students, noting that 10-year-old Harrison was a promising lacrosse player.
“Ryan and Laura were very supportive of their sons and whatever they wanted to do,” he added.
Beggs held a pilot’s license, online records show. Jim Van Epps said Laura Van Epps’ father flew the family to upstate New York and stayed with them to watch his grandson’s games.
The single-engine Piper PA-46 crashed shortly after taking off from Oneonta Regional Airport around 2 p.m. Sunday, sparking an outpouring of emotional tributes. The plane’s wreckage was found hours later in the town of Masonville, about 125 miles northwest of New York City.
On Monday, the Oneonta Girls Softball League paid tribute to James and his family, who were attending the tournament, in a moving Facebook post.
“Tonight we hold a moment of silence for Cooperstown All-Star Village baseball player JR Van Epps and his family of four who lost their lives in a tragic plane crash yesterday on their way home. Please remember to always keep your loved ones close to you, they can be gone in an instant,” they wrote.
As part of their tribute, the team shared an image of their gear lined up with the slain boy’s initials.
“It’s for the love of the game,” they added.
In another Facebook post, the Van Epps family remembered their loved ones, writing: “Following this heartbreaking tragedy, we are mourning the loss of our family. Our hearts are broken yesterday after receiving the tragic news that Ryan, Laura, James Ryan, Harrison Van Epps and Laura’s father, Roger Beggs, were involved in a fatal plane crash.”
“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 be forever etched in our hearts,” the statement continued.
“Please keep their loved ones and our family in your thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time. May we find strength and comfort in the memories and outpouring of love from all who knew them,” the family added.
Police said the plane was en route to Atlanta’s Cobb County International Airport to refuel in West Virginia when it crashed.
Authorities have not revealed what caused the crash.
Neighbours remembered the family as “very kind” and “gentle”.
“We were neighbors. We saw each other every day and we would always say hello to their sons. Their sons would come over sometimes. They lived just across the street and we would always wave and say hello. They were just lovely people.” “It was a disaster,” neighbor Caroline Slayton told Atlanta News First.
“We’re all shocked and devastated. They were such a sweet family, such sweet people.”
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said at the X that he and his family are praying for the victims’ families and that his “heartfelt condolences go out to all who knew and loved them.”
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
