The four victims of the Florida plane crash that killed two married couples have been named and pictured as tributes pour in.
William 'Jeff' Lumpkin, 64, Patricia 'Patty' Lumpkin, 68, Ricky Beaver, 60, and Elizabeth 'Bethe' Beaver, 57, were all killed when the plane crashed into the sea shortly after taking off from Venice Airport.
Witnesses on the Venice Pier called 911 after watching the plane plunge into the ocean.
As news of the tragic accident spread, tributes began to pour in for the much loved couples from Indianapolis.
Patty Lumpkin was a local realtor at Carpenter Realtors. On February 12 she posted a picture of her and husband Jeff sitting in a plane. When someone asked about the plane, she commented: "Our plane, Jeff’s a long time pilot"
Police said the two married couples from Indiana flew to Venice to meet some friends and eat dinner at a local restaurant Sharky’s On the Pier.
Shortly after the foursome took off from Venice Airport at 9.35pm their plane crashed about half a mile offshore.
Jeff, an associate director at aerospace giant Raytheon, was flying a Piper PA-32R when it went down.
Bethe Beaver was a much loved founder of the Indiana Elite All Star Cheer & Dance.
One tear-jerking tribute posted on Facebook from Stefany Kellermeier Robles read: "Heartbroken doesn’t even describe how I’m feeling. The world lost an amazing woman who has touched thousands of lives. I am blessed to have known you, Bethe Horine Beaver."
Bethe often posted pictures of herself and husband Ricky happily smiling.
Local news anchor Angela Ganote said: "I first met Bethe probably 33 years ago. Always full of joy. Owner of Elite Cheer and Dance. She touched thousands of lives.
"This is devastating."
Denise Muench wrote: "I have always cherished the memory of you stopping and climbing the fence to help me locate the baby kitten I was trying to save. You were so kind.
"So many memories of chatting with you before and after service when we attended our previous church. Prayers for all those affected by this horrible accident."
Anne Lybrook, who's daughter was coached by Bethe, said: "Bethe was just phenomenal at running a competitive cheer gym and was one of the most upbeat and positive people I have ever met.
"She always had a smile and cheerful personality even when things would get stressful in the normal world of competitive cheer."
A touching tribute posted online to Patty from Nikki Mehdiyoun Conrad read: "My hearts aches. Patty was an incredible person and full of life. My mind is flooded with memories of her. She will be missed."
According to Venice Police Department, rescue crews found debris from the crashed plane as well as the bodies of Mr Lumpkin and Mr Beaver on Wednesday night.
The police search teams continued overnight.
The bodies of the two women were found on Thursday alongside the main body of the plane.
Ricky Lumpkin's daughter, Jill Lumpkin Hutchinson, posted a short tribute to her dad on Facebook, writing: "Dad, Patty, Rick, and Bethe will be missed."
Crews from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard were continuing to search the debris field Thursday morning.
The Lumpkins were from Fishers, Indiana, and the Beavers were from Noblesville, Indiana.
This is the second deadly crash of a plane leaving Venice Airport in four months. Then a family of three were killed including a 12-year-old girl.
Venice police Capt. Andy Leisenring called it “unusual” to have two plane crashes occur in that short period of time but said it was too early to conclude whether or not there was a connection between them.
The Airport Director for Venice Airport was also grilled in the wake of this latest crash.
