Local News
Victims Killed in Boca Raton Plane Crash Identified
Authorities have released the identities of the three individuals who tragically lost their lives in a small plane crash near the Boca Raton Airport on Friday, April 11.
According to the Boca Raton Police Services Department, the victims were members of the same family:
- Robert Stark, 81, of Boca Raton
- Stephen Stark, 54, of Delray Beach
- Brooke Stark, 17, of Delray Beach
All three were on board the ill-fated aircraft when it went down shortly after takeoff.
The sole individual injured on the ground, Pablo Tafur, 24, was identified as the driver of a Toyota that was struck during the crash.
His injuries were reported as non-life-threatening.
The crash, which occurred around 10:12 a.m., sent a fireball and heavy plumes of smoke into the air, visible from surrounding neighborhoods, schools, and businesses.
Graphic video footage from the scene showed the wreckage engulfed in flames, with bodies visible near the debris.
The aircraft involved was a Cessna 310R, tail number N8930N, built in 1977 and registered to REPROP LLC, a company based in Wilmington, Delaware. T
he plane had departed Boca Raton en route to Tallahassee and had been airborne for approximately 8 to 10 minutes before it crashed near the intersection of Military Trail and Glades Road, close to Florida Atlantic University and a busy commercial area.
During a Friday evening press briefing, Kurt Gibson, an aviation accident investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), stated that a full investigation is underway.
“We’ll be looking into three primary areas: the pilot, including their qualifications and recent history; the aircraft’s maintenance and records; and environmental conditions at the time of the crash,” Gibson explained.
Data from FlightAware showed the plane performed several circular maneuvers before impact, indicating the pilot may have been experiencing difficulties.
The aircraft will be moved to a salvage facility for further inspection.
The NTSB confirmed that a preliminary report will be released within 30 days, while the final report could take 12 to 24 months to complete.
The crash has prompted closures in the area, including a portion of North Military Trail and nearby train tracks.
Authorities are urging residents and commuters to avoid the area until further notice.
This tragic incident marks a somber moment for the Boca Raton community as investigators work to determine the exact cause of the crash and bring closure to the families affected.
Local News
Authorities Identify Three Missing Girls in Missouri River Near Dodge Park
A 13-year-old girl was the only one who managed to get out of the water.
Authorities in Omaha have confirmed that search and recovery efforts are ongoing for three girls who went missing in the Missouri River near NP Dodge Park on Tuesday evening, April 15, 2025.
According to officials, four girls had gone fishing and entered the water near a boat dock in the area around 6:00 p.m. Witnesses reported that the girls began to struggle as they floated down the river.
A 13-year-old girl was the only one who managed to get out of the water.
She was later found on the riverbank, visibly distressed and crying.
Omaha Fire Battalion Chief Coby Werner stated that the girl, who was transported to a local hospital for evaluation, informed emergency responders that she was related to the three others who were still missing.
The missing individuals have been identified as 18-year-old Laiana Green, 18-year-old Lah K. Tray Moo, and 11-year-old Eh Cress Moo.
Authorities have not released information suggesting that any of the girls were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident.
What began as a rescue operation on Tuesday evening has now transitioned into a recovery mission, as confirmed by Omaha Fire and Rescue on Wednesday morning.
The water temperature in the Missouri River, currently around 45 degrees Fahrenheit, poses a serious risk by potentially delaying the resurfacing of individuals, officials noted.
Search crews were forced to suspend operations around sunset on Tuesday due to low visibility and safety concerns.
The recovery effort resumed early Wednesday morning with a more coordinated strategy—agencies were assigned designated areas along the river to search individually to maximize coverage.
Despite some promising signals throughout the day, those sightings were ultimately determined to be debris.
Emergency services have expanded their search zone and plan to continue efforts into the weekend, moving further downstream. Specialized equipment, including sonar technology, drones, and aerial surveillance from a police helicopter, is being utilized to aid in locating the missing girls.
As of Wednesday evening, eight boats and four responding agencies were actively involved in the search, including Omaha Fire Department, Bennington Fire Department, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“The Missouri River is extremely hazardous, especially at night,” said Battalion Chief Werner. “There’s a strong current, submerged debris, and poor visibility. Earlier today, we saw a large tree float past, which shows how dangerous this environment is for our crews.”
Authorities are requesting the public to avoid the river while recovery operations continue and urge community members to keep the families of the missing girls in their thoughts.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy,” said a spokesperson for Omaha Fire. “But we remain committed to bringing closure to these families. Our teams will be out here at first light every day until this mission is complete.”