A small plane crash kills a family of five returning from a New York baseball tournament

In a tragic incident, five members of a family from Georgia lost their lives in a small plane crash in rural upstate New York. The family, including two young boys aged 10 and 12, had traveled to Cooperstown for a baseball tournament. The single-engine Piper PA-46 crashed in a rural area in Delaware County, near Sidney, killing all onboard. The wreckage was discovered Sunday night, with authorities still investigating the cause of the crash. The victims were identified as Roger Beggs, 76; Laura Van Epps, 42; Ryan Van Epps, 42; James Van Epps, 12; and Harrison Van Epps, 10. The family was returning to Georgia after the baseball tournament in Cooperstown. The tragic loss of these five lives has deeply impacted their family, with loved ones remembering the young boys' promising futures in academics and sports. The family had been supported in their endeavors by Ryan and Laura, who were dedicated parents. The plane had taken off from a regional airport in Oneonta and was headed to Cobb County International Airport in Atlanta with a fueling stop in West Virginia when it crashed. The remote crash site in Masonville, about 125 miles northwest of New York City, was located using drones, all-terrain vehicles, and helicopters. The National Transportation Safety Board and local authorities are working to determine the circumstances that led to this devastating accident. The community and authorities are mourning the loss of these five individuals, highlighting the fragility of life and the impact of such tragedies on families and communities. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with updates expected to shed more light on the sequence of events that led to the fatal incident. The family's journey to Cooperstown for a baseball tournament ended in a heartbreaking disaster, leaving behind a legacy of love and loss for those who knew them.