Tragic Day in Delaware County: Fatal Plane Crash in Masonville and Deadly Storm at Campground

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report

Plane Crash in Masonville

On Sunday June 30, 2024, around 2:00 p.m., the New York State Police responded to a potential plane crash near Lake Cecil Road in Masonville. A multi-agency search effort, including drones, ATVs, and helicopters, led to the discovery of debris and the downed aircraft.

The aircraft, a Piper Malibu Mirage, was found with all passengers deceased. The victims were identified as Roger Beggs, 76, Laura VanEpps, 43, Ryan VanEpps, 42, James R. VanEpps, 12, and Harrison VanEpps, 10. They were a family from Georgia in Cooperstown, NY, for a baseball tournament. The plane had departed from Alfred S. Nader Regional Airport in Oneonta, NY, en route to Cobb County International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, with a refueling stop planned in West Virginia.

The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Collision Reconstruction Unit, and Forensic Identification Unit are working in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Board (NTSB) to determine the cause of the crash.

Fatal Storm Incident in Delaware County

On Sunday June 30, 2024, a severe storm struck a popular campground in Delaware County near the Sullivan County border, resulting in one fatality. Initial reports suggested a tornado, but the National Weather Service in Binghamton confirmed it was a microburst with 90 mph winds about one mile northwest of Cooks Falls.

The microburst hit the Russell Brook Campsites at approximately 10:35 a.m. on Sunday. A woman from Edison, NJ, was killed when a large tree, felled by the storm, crushed her camper. Another individual was injured. The storm caused extensive damage to many RVs, campers, tents, and several cars, according to authorities.