Four Americans were among the dead when a small plane crashed into the sea off a popular tourist destination in Honduras on Saturday, officials said. (Honduras Fire Department)
Rick Tepel was killed in a plane crash with four others Saturday shortly after takeoff from an airport on Roatán Island of Honduras off its Pacific Coast, according to a source close to Tepel’s family.
Tepel is a well-known local businessman and philanthropist currently serving on the Board of Trustees for Historic Sotterley, was a member of the Foundation Board for the College of Southern Maryland, and member of the Foundation board for St. Mary’s Hospital.
According to a Fox News report, a total of four Americans were among the dead.
A source close to Tepel’s family said the five deceased included Tepel’s best friend, Tony Dubler, of Baltimore, and a Canadian citizen that has not yet been named.
“We express our condolences to all those affected by this tragedy,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson said in a press statement. “We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.”
TheBayNet.com will continue to report more on this tragedy as information develops.