UPDATE: The two men who died in a Pineville plane crash were twin brothers, prominent members of the Alexandria community, KALB reports.
Pineville officials tell the station that brothers Ben and Blake Cooper died after the small plane being flown by Ben, an accomplished pilot, crashed shortly after takeoff around 1:20 Sunday afternoon. Confirmation of the men’s identities was made Sunday evening, KALB reports.
Officials also said Blake Cooper’s son was thrown from the wreckage, underwent surgery and is expected to live.
Ben Cooper was the owner and administrator of Oceans Behavioral Hospital in Alexandria, while Blake Cooper was the Executive Director of the Central Louisiana Regional Port. Both men lived in Alexandria and were graduates of Tioga High School, KALB reports.
To read the entire story, click here.
Earlier today, the Town Talk reported that two men are dead following an early afternoon plane crash Sunday near Lake Buhlow in Pineville.
Sheriff Mark Wood told the newspaper that the pilot and one male passenger were killed. A 7 year- old male survived the crash and was taken to an area hospital.
The Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office has secured the scene and will remain with the wreckage. The Federal Aviation Administration has been called and will conduct an investigation upon arrival at the crash scene, the newspaper reports.
According to the Town Talk, names are being withheld pending notification of relatives of the victims.
To read the story with all the details, click here.
