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Tragic Plane Crash Claims Lives of Talented Family and Friends in New York
A private aircraft accident in upstate New York has resulted in the loss of six individuals, all members of a close family and promising young athletes, who were on their way to the Catskills to celebrate a birthday and the Passover holiday.
The twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft went down around noon on Saturday, crashing in a muddy field in Copake, New York, close to the Massachusetts border. Authorities confirmed that all onboard lost their lives, a detail shared by a family member speaking with The Associated Press.
Those who perished included Karenna Groff, a former MIT soccer standout and the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year, along with her father, Dr. Michael Groff, a neuroscientist; her mother, Dr. Joy Saini, a urogynecologist; and her boyfriend, James Santoro, who, like Karenna, was a recent MIT graduate, as reported by James’ father, John Santoro.
John Santoro expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, stating, “They were a wonderful family. The world lost a lot of very good people who were going to do a lot of good for the world if they had the opportunity. We’re all personally devastated.”
James Santoro met Karenna Groff during their freshman year at MIT. Groff, hailing from Weston, Massachusetts, earned recognition as an All-American soccer player and pursued a degree in biomedical engineering. Santoro was a math major from New Jersey, playing lacrosse during his time at the university.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Groff was instrumental in co-founding openPPE, a project aimed at developing improved face mask designs for frontline workers. In 2023, she achieved the notable distinction of being named NCAA Woman of the Year, celebrating both her athletic and community service accomplishments.
In a prior interview, Groff credited her recognition to her supportive network, stating, “This recognition is a testament to my MIT women’s soccer family and all of the guidance, support, and friendship they have provided for me over the years.”
After concluding their studies, Groff and Santoro relocated to Manhattan, where Groff began medical school at New York University, while Santoro took a position as an investment associate at a Connecticut-based hedge fund.
On the day of the accident, they boarded Michael Groff’s private jet at an airport in White Plains, New York, but the plane crashed approximately 20 miles south of their intended landing site at Columbia County Airport.
Describing the crash site, Columbia County Undersheriff Jacqueline Salvatore revealed, “It’s in the middle of a field and it’s pretty muddy, so accessibility is difficult,” during a news conference.
The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the incident and plans to release findings shortly. Meanwhile, Santoro mentioned that funeral arrangements are being made for the victims.
John Santoro reflected on the life of his son, stating, “The 25 years we had with James were the best years of our lives, and the joy and love he brought us will be enough to last a lifetime.”
Source
www.yahoo.com