logo
Heartbreaking vid shows toddler play near doomed plane days before horror crash that killed two-year-old and his parents

Heartbreaking vid shows toddler play near doomed plane days before horror crash that killed two-year-old and his parents

The Sun4 days ago
HEARTBREAKING footage has emerged showing a toddler playing around a small plane just days before it crashed and killed the entire family.
Pilot Brandon LeRoy, his wife Jestene and their two-year-old baby Paxton tragically died after a small private plane nosedived into an Idaho home.
7
7
7
Emergency responders revealed that all members of the family suffered "multiple blunt force injuries" after the Mooney M20 plane plunged.
While the mum and dad were pronounced dead at the scene, the toddler was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.
He succumbed to his wounds soon after.
A video showing Paxton playing around the plane just three days before the crash has now gone viral.
The clip, posted by mum Jestene, shows the toddler riding a tricycle around the doomed plane, which appears to be parked inside a hangar.
Jestene wrote in the captions: "Imagine growing up riding your bike around your dad's plane before your dad flies you and your mom wherever you want."
Data from FlightAware shows that the plane travelled between McMinnville, Oregon, Fresno, California, and Nampa, Idaho one week before the crash.
The family's loved ones called the loss 'immeasurable", saying, 'to say we miss them doesn't come close.'
Jeremiah LeRoy, Brandon's cousin, told KTVB in a statement: 'Together, they were building a life marked by love, purpose, and promise.
'Though their time here was far too short, their legacy is everlasting — a legacy of love, courage, joy, and selfless service.
"A sacred reminder to live each day with purpose, with gratitude, and with unwavering faith.'
Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling said: 'My heart grieves for those who tragically lost their life. Our thoughts and prayers are with their extended family during this difficult time.'
In June, another Mooney M20 aircraft crashed and left one person dead and another critically injured near Boston.
Two men were inside the aircraft that crashed on Sam Fonzo Drive, just outside the Beverly Regional Airport, according to the Beverly police and fire departments.
7
7
7
One man was pronounced dead at the scene while the other was airlifted to a hospital, authorities said.
The names of the pilot and passenger have not been made public.
No one on the ground was injured.
The reported fixed-wing aircraft with four seats appeared to be badly damaged - and was resting against a utility pole.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said: "The preliminary information we have is the plane crashed under unknown circumstances."
It added: "Once on site, the investigator will begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the aircraft.
"The aircraft will then be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation."
US on edge over 'cluster' of plane crashes
A series of devastating plane crashes, including the mid-air collision above DC that killed 67, has left Americans terrified of traveling by air.
However, aviation expert and attorney Jason Matzus told The U.S. Sun the crashes can be attributed to "random clustering."
"While these events are tragic, the likely explanation is simply 'random clustering,' which occurs when multiple crashes occur over a short period, warping our general perception and causing us to think that there is an increasing trend in plane crashes," Matzus said.
"When in reality these crashes, despite being so close together, are merely coincidental and not caused by a systemic safety issue."
The short period Matzus referred to was just a matter of three weeks. The aviation mishaps included:
January 29 - A military helicopter and American Airlines plane collided at the Washington DC airport, killing 67 people
January 31 - An air ambulance carrying a 6-year-old girl and her mom crashed on a street in Philadelphia, killing seven people in total
February 5 - A Japan Airlines flight hit a parked Delta plane at Seattle SeaTac Airport and no one was injured
February 6 - A small commuter plane on its way to Nome, Alaska, crashed killing all 10 people on board
February 10 - Motley Crue singer Vince Neil's private jet collided with another plane, killing the pilot and injuring four others
February 17 - A Delta plane crashed on the runway at Toronto Pearson International Airport, miraculously killing no one but injuring 21
February 19 - Two planes collided at Marana Airport in Arizona, killing two people
February 24 - Smoke filled a Delta Airlines flight cabin forcing passengers to evacuate by a slide after making an emergency landing in Atlanta
March 9 - A Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft crashed into a retirement village parking lot in Manheim, Pennsylvania
March 13 - An American Airlines jet engine erupted into flames at the Denver airport, forcing passengers to escape onto the plane's wing
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Medical community heartbroken after fatal plane crash on Navajo Nation
Medical community heartbroken after fatal plane crash on Navajo Nation

The Independent

time8 hours ago

  • The Independent

Medical community heartbroken after fatal plane crash on Navajo Nation

Federal investigators on Wednesday were trying to piece together what caused a medical transport plane to crash on the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona, killing the four people on board and leaving the medical community in neighboring New Mexico heartbroken. The two pilots, flight nurse and paramedic who were onboard were based out of Albuquerque and had worked with hospitals throughout the area. While authorities had yet to release their names, colleagues and friends shared condolences and prayers on social media. Many shared details about the crew's dedication to patients and the incredible void left by the tragedy. The crew was on its way to pick up a patient from the federal Indian Health Service hospital in Chinle when the plane crashed near the airport there, Navajo authorities said. The plan was to return to Albuquerque. The Beechcraft King Air 300 was owned by CSI Aviation. The company said in a statement that it was devastated and that the four were more than just colleagues. 'Their courage, care, and dedication will never be forgotten,' the company said. 'Our hearts are with their families, friends, and loved ones.' According to CSI Aviation's website, the nationally accredited carrier never had an accident or incident and never had any FAA sanctions. It provides medical flights in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and South Dakota. Medical transports by air from the Navajo Nation are common because most hospitals are small and do not offer advanced or trauma care. The Chinle airport is one of a handful of airports that the tribe owns and operates on the vast 27,000-square-mile (70,000-square-kilometer) reservation that stretches into Arizona, New Mexico and Utah — the largest land base of any Native American tribe. Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti, who is a former NTSB and FAA crash investigator, said it's difficult to say what caused this crash in a remote area like Chinle because so few details are readily available. The high altitude of Chinle, which sits just over 5,500 feet above sea level, and the high temperatures Tuesday around 95 degrees can make it harder for a plane to get the lift it needs to fly, but Guzzetti said that is usually more of an issue at takeoff — rather than landing — and this kind of Beechcraft Super King Air plane has plenty of power with its twin turboprop engines. The plane also shouldn't have been overweight because it had already burned off fuel during its flight and hadn't yet picked up the patient. At the time the plane was trying to land, the wind was gusting up to 28 knots, which could have made landing difficult at the Chinle airport, which has a narrow, 60-foot-wide runway. 'Gusting crosswinds to 28 knots can make things a little bit challenging,' Guzzetti said. 'The winds might have been an issue.' Aside from examining the wreckage, NTSB investigators will be reviewing flight data, any air traffic control communications, aircraft maintenance records and weather conditions at the time as they try to determine what caused the crash. ___ AP Transportation Writer Josh Funk reported from Omaha, Nebraska.

My pregnant daughter, 21, went for a 30-minute lie down and never woke up – she'd already named her baby girl
My pregnant daughter, 21, went for a 30-minute lie down and never woke up – she'd already named her baby girl

The Sun

time20 hours ago

  • The Sun

My pregnant daughter, 21, went for a 30-minute lie down and never woke up – she'd already named her baby girl

MUM-to-be Leah Roberts lay down for a 30-minute nap in August last year but never woke up. The 21-year-old, from Cwmbran in Wales, was five months pregnant and found out three days prior to her death that she was expecting a baby girl. 3 She'd already picked out a name for the tot, intending to call her Leena-Rose. Leah felt unwell on August 1, 2024, while out on a day trip. She went home to rest but never woke up from her nap. Leah's mother, Martine Roberts, rushed to the property alongside the ambulance service, air ambulance and police. Medics fought to revive her for over an hour, but neither Leah nor the baby could not be saved. The cause of her tragic death has yet to be determined. Paying tribute to her daughter a year on from the tragedy, Martine said her grief hurts as though it "happened yesterday". She told WalesOnline: "One year ago, my world changed forever. Not a day goes by where I don't think of Leah and Leena-Rose. "I carry them both in my heart and I will always. "Life will never be the same without Leah. I cherish every video, I cherish every picture and every memory and time we spent together. "Her death still feels and hurts as if it happened yesterday. "I always feel guilty when I come back from trips smiling and laughing. But I know Leah was happiest when I was happy. She would cry if I would cry. "Hopefully she's up there smiling when I'm smiling. "I am missing her like crazy - I always will. "Her five brother's lives have been changed forever, losing their only sister and missing becoming uncles to Leena-Rose." On August 1 last year, Leah, who was living with her grandparents, cut her day trip short after feeling unwell. She returned home early and told her family she planned to take a 30-minute nap to recover. A few hours later, her grandfather went to check on her and struggled to wake her. The 4 times you should call your midwife during pregnancy Navigating pregnancy can be overwhelming, and knowing when to seek help is crucial for both your health and your baby's. Your midwife is a key resource throughout this journey, providing guidance and support. Here's a quick guide on when to reach out to your midwife . If you experience severe abdominal pain, bleeding, or unusual discharge, contact your midwife immediately. If you notice a significant decrease in your baby's movements, especially after 24 weeks, seek advice from your midwife. If you develop a high fever, severe headache, or vision problems, get in touch with your midwife as these could be signs of pre-eclampsia. Call your midwife if you experience regular contractions, your waters break, or you have any signs of early labour. If you feel anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed, your midwife can provide support or refer you to additional resources. But remember that any concerns about your or your baby's health should be discussed with your midwife for guidance and reassurance. Source: NHS website Concerned, he told her grandmother, who immediately went to Leah's room and realised something was wrong. She pulled her off the bed and began performing CPR before the ambulance teams arrived. Leah's friend Rhiannon Williams added: "I can't believe it has been a year without our princess Leah. "Leah, I am missing you so much - this world is so cruel. I will forever be loving you from afar. "I wish she could just come back and then everything would be okay." In the days following Leah's tragic death, she was described by her friend Becky Davies as "the most selfless person you could ever meet in your life". "All she wanted was to love and be loved in return," said Becky. "Family was a massive thing for her, she would always say she was going to be a mum. "She used to take my children out, her brothers out. "She would walk into a room and no matter if she had had a bad day or not she would always ask if you were OK.

Leicester farm opens burial ground in bid to diversify
Leicester farm opens burial ground in bid to diversify

BBC News

timea day ago

  • BBC News

Leicester farm opens burial ground in bid to diversify

A family have transformed their working farm into a burial ground in a bid to View Farm in Bottesford, Leicestershire, has been in the Goodson family since the 1950s but received planning permission in 2021 to turn one of its fields into a natural burial ground spans over 10 acres and can accommodate approximately 7,500 burial plots. Clair Goodson, who runs the farm alongside her husband James, says all farms are having to think of ways to vary their offering. She told the BBC: "When we farmed this field we knew it wasn't going to be a productive field so we preferred to do something different. "We thought a burial ground would be lovely because it is so peaceful and quiet here but it was mainly for the views, they are wonderful."The farm overlooks the Vale of Belvoir with views of Belvoir Castle on a clear day. "I think farming is really tough. You are against the weather and this is an easier way of bringing in some income from a field," Ms Goodson said."It wasn't a great field to grow crops before because we are are in heavy clay. But this sort of thing suits it."All farmers have got to diversify into something. We all have to think of ways to do that whether, that be hospitality or renting out sheds. This is just another way." The couple, who run the 330-acre farm with support from their two children Emily and George, said they were committed to caring for their environment."We set 93 trees here so when they grow we want to put bat boxes and owl boxes in.," Ms Goodson said."We have got hedgehog boxes. We have a family of nine hares now which we have never had before. It has been massive."There is so much more biodiversity now than if we just had crops."Now the family are hoping the burial ground proves a popular choice with people."No one wants to talk about death but I feel like more people are now," Ms Goodson said."I find that this is a nicer alternative than maybe the churchyard or crematorium because they know they can come and visit a nice place. "We hope it will continue to be busy, it is a fairly new venture so we still have a lot of space."It is a permanent fixture though. It will be here for our children and probably their children as well."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store