Whitman-Hanson Express

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When Christmas dreams come true

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HANSON — He asked for his brother Matthew to come home for Christmas. It was his only wish for Santa.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS: Indian Head fourth-grader Alex Ergas, hugs his brother Matthew Stanish, whose visit home on leave from Army basic training was all Alex wanted for Christmas, Stanish surprised him at a school assembly Dec. 20.

His wish was fulfilled Thursday afternoon because Alex Ergas, a fourth-grader, at Indian Head School in Hanson, was a very good boy this year.

Principal Jill Catreau received a letter from the Big Guy in the red suit and read it aloud to his classmates.

While she was reading the North pole response to Ergas, his big brother, Mathew Stanish, who arrived home in Hanson for a leave following Army basic training, snuck out on the stage in a coordinated reunion with Alex in front of friends and family.

In the crowd were Indian Head students, staff, the brothers’ mom Melissa Eras, Stanish’s girlfriend  Hannah Faghan of Whitman, and their sister Anastasia Ergas along with other family members.

Stanish will enjoy the holidays with his younger siblings before heading back to Fort Benning, Ga. for three more months.

He plans on working as a mechanic in the Army as he continues his training.

Happy tears were flowing from Alex who nodded his head yes when an Express Reporter asked him if he was happy.

Dressed in his Army fatigues, Stanish sat with Alex who tightly  clutched his brother’s arm. A granted holiday wish the Indian Head School community will not soon forget.

Firefighters save Christmas

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A holiday house fire has left several families temporarily homeless. While firefighters battled the flames at 97 Linden Street in Whitman, a Christmas tree could be seen still twinkling its lights in the front room on the second floor.

Lucas O’ Connor, a third floor resident, was first on scene as he arrived home to see flames shooting from the building.

“We were coming home from a holiday party and heard the fire alarms going off. When we got out of the car you could see flames on the second floor – we opened the door- as soon as we opened the door it was full of smoke. So I went around making sure no one was in the apartments and luckily no one was,” said O’Connor.

Fire Chief Grenno commended firefighters for making an aggressive interior attack and limiting the amount of damage to the second floor.

“Firefighters worked quickly to limit the damage and I am very proud that we were able to save a bit of Christmas for these families who have been put out of their homes tonight.“

After battling the flames firefighters were able to re-enter the home and remove the already wrapped Christmas presents from all three apartments.

Smoke and water have rendered the homes uninhabitable. For the time being, families from each unit in the triple decker are reportedly staying with relatives.

The Whitman food pantry was also on scene to offer dinners for the holiday to those who were displaced.

Chief Grenno’s estimated damages to the building is $100,000.

Firefighters from Hanson, East Bridgewater, Abington, and Rockland provided mutual aid. The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation.

 

Home for Christmas

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HANSON — He asked for his brother Mathew to come home for Christmas. It was his only wish for Santa.

His wish was fulfilled Thursday afternoon because Alex Ergas, a fourth-grader, at Indian Head School in Hanson, was a very good boy this year.

Principal Jill Catreau received a letter from the Big Guy in the red suit and read it aloud to his classmates.

While she was reading the North pole response to Ergas, his big brother, Mathew Stanish, who arrived home in Hanson for a leave following Army basic training, snuck out on the stage in a coordinated reunion with Alex in front of friends and family.

In the crowd were Indian Head students, staff, the brothers’ mom Melissa Eras, Stanish’s girlfriend Hannah Faghan of Whitman, and their sister Anastasia Ergas along with other family members.

Stanish will enjoy the holidays with his younger siblings before heading back to Fort Benning, Ga. for three more months.

He plans on working as a mechanic in the Army as he continues his training.

Happy tears were flowing from Alex who nodded his head yes when an Express Reporter asked him if he was happy.

Dressed in his Army fatigues, Stanish sat with Alex who tightly clutched his brother’s arm. A granted holiday wish the Indian Head School community will not soon forget.

Stuffing a cruiser for kids

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WHITMAN — The Whitman Area Toy Drive, along with Whitman Police, hosted a collaborative effort to  Stuff A Cruiser on Sunday, in honor of Sgt. Michael Chesna, a Weymouth police officer killed in the line of duty this year.

Toy Drive Co-organizer Donnie Westhaver shook his head in disbelief over the expansion and success of the annual event. He looked over the 50 plus rows of eight-foot tables and his eyes filled with tears.

“I could not have imagined this 18 years ago. We started with just two tables,” he said.

Jane Plasse co-organizer called the event a huge success.

“What an amazing day! We couldn’t ask for a better day except the weather,” she said. “The community was awesome bringing so many donations for the Whitman Area Toy Drive in honor of Sgt. Michael Chesna. I was so glad to have met his entire family. What a great tribute.”

Jason Ho of Needham came down to the event after seeing a flyer on Facebook.

“I have a full time job and I can afford to help others now,” he said. “It was something I saw that was shared through my car club. I wanted to make a donation.”

Santa was waiting to talk with the children as families dropped items off to stuff the cruiser. He asked many what they might like for Christmas. A joyful face of a child was clearly reason to smile as emotions surfaced for some of  the volunteers and family members of Sgt Chesna, who took photos and thanked those who donated.

Grace Eezepik, 2 1/2, of Whitman was learning about generosity in giving to others. In the rain she carried a toy donation wearing her raincoat, boots and a smirk.

She walked with purpose, dropped off her gift on the back of the police cruiser and promptly told Santa  she would talk to him from across the room but would not be taking a picture with him. Evoking laughter from the gathering of adults it was a stark reminder of why they do what they do each year — simply for the innocence of the children.

Westhaver described the Whitman Area Toy Drive as a one-stop-shopping event as families in need do get whatever they need in age appropriate toys, along with wrapping paper, tape and — if needed — even a Christmas tree.

There are approximately 10 people who assist with the toy drive at its busiest time but volunteers of up to twenty five people have come in from various groups to offer a hand.

The ages of 10-15 can be considered the tween-age in which gift cards are usually given, he said.

He also gently reminds givers that you cannot eat a toy. Often time someone would like to make a donation in the form of money- we do assist with providing a holiday meal gift card to the local a grocery store in some situations, he added.

“We have created a bond between Whitman Area Toy Drive the Chesna family along with Whitman police,” said Westhaver.

Cindy Chesna widow of Michael Chesna spoke about supporting the event in the future, according to organizers. She emphasized the family was really pleased about the upcoming collaboration of future events, Westhaver said.

The event tally was astounding after all of the collections were completed organizers counted 35 to 40 gallon trash  bags at maximum capacity of toys.

For information on assistance or donations for the Whitman Area Toy Drive Donnie Westhaver’s email is [email protected] or call 781-447-6883. Voice messages will be returned.

Jane Plasse can be contacted at [email protected] along with her cell 781-953-0642.

Minor fire causes morning Commuter Rail delay

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HANSON — No injuries were reported as Thursday morning’s commute along the MBTA Kingston line was delayed following a confirmed fire inside an engine compartment at the Hanson station.

The fire was in a small, contained area and passengers were evacuated as a precaution, according to Hanson Fire Chief Jerome Thompson Jr.

Keolis spokesman Tory Mazzola commented on the incident for the MBTA later in the day.

“There was a mechanical issue in the turbocharger engine of the locomotive, which can cause smoke and in some cases a small fire. The fire department was called as a precautionary measure and alternative service for passengers was provided,” Mazzola stated. “At no time were passengers at risk and we appreciate their patience as we resolve this issue as safely and quickly as possible.”

Hanson Police Chief Michael Miksch issued a written press release through spokesperson Ben Paulin of John Guilfoil Public Relations.

He indicated that Hanson Police and Fire departments responded to the Commuter Rail Station at 1070 Main St. (Route 27) about 6:55 a.m. after receiving reports of fire on an inbound train.

“The fire has been put out by the Hanson Fire Department,” Miksch stated. “No injuries were reported.”

According to Miksch, all passengers were transferred to another train and transit police and Keolis employees were on the scene assisting commuters, but would not comment on the incident at that time.

Whitman officer is honored

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WHITMAN — Police Officer Mark Poirier was presented two citations for his arrest of murder suspect Allan Warner who was wanted for the death of his estranged wife Shana Warner last week in Marshfield.

Police Chief Scott Benton of Whitman police addressed colleagues as well as family and local politicians to praise Poirier’s swift apprehension.

“I have this opportunity certainly to highlight some great police work — that I am not surprised — was done by Officer Mark Poirier of our police department,” Benton said. “He apprehended homicide fugitive Allen Warner who had brutally murdered his ex-wife –to- be in Marshfield the day before (Monday, Sept. 24).”

Poirier has been a patrolman and a detective for the Whitman police. He is a lifelong Whitman resident and graduate of the W-H class of 1990.

“Mark is conscientious about what he does and how he does his job,”said Benton.

On Sept 25  there was a call to police about a hit-and-run involving a flatbed tow truck that struck potted plants at Dunkin’ Donuts drive through on South Avenue. Poirier contacted the truck company and found out it had been stolen.

During the investigation, Poirier witnessed the truck pulling in to the company where it was stolen and engaged the operator who tried to back up and flee.

He recognized the suspect despite the change in his appearance. Benton commended Poirier for his vigilance in the capture of Warner doing so safely in which no one else was hurt, he said.

“We are lucky to have him here, I am thankful to have him here and the citizens of Whitman are certainly served well by Mark as a police officer,” said Benton.

A Citation from the Massachusetts General Court was presented by state Rep. Geoff Diehl, R-Whitman, commending the actions of Poirier. After a summer of upheaval for officers across the country, Diehl said he was pleased to see a local officer commended for doing his job right.

“I think Whitman is such a lucky town to have great leadership under Scott Benton our Chief and the great training that has led to the apprehension that could have gone a whole different bunch of ways — but in this case it went the right way and Officer Poirier was able to successfully apprehend someone who was a threat to the community, a threat to the South Shore,” said Diehl.

He also acknowledged Poirier’s family as the backbone of support for a job that is so dangerous.

“I think the other thing that goes unnoticed is the family behind him that supports what he does every day. When you are an officer in Massachusetts, across the country or right here in Whitman when you go out there to serve the public what you are doing is saying- no matter what the case is I’m going out there and keep you safe,” said Diehl.

State senator Mike D. Brady, D-Brockton, also commended the work of Officer Poirier and presented him with a citation on behalf of the Senate.

Poirier’s wife Stephanie, daughter Savannah, 15, and son Mark Jr., 18, along with his parents Pete and Marilyn were also present to congratulate him.

Rock Steady vs Parkinson’s

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He fights for others.

Physical therapist Brett Miller of Hanson, owner of 110 Fitness — a wellness center in Rockland — has found both his mission and passion lending his voice and including people who sometimes need a helping hand.

A onetime boxer, who still trains fighters, Miller was seeing patients with Parkinson’s disease during his in-home physical therapy visits.

He had something of an epiphany after watching a “60 Minutes” feature by journalist Leslie Stahl, who highlighted the Rock Steady program and its proven changes and improvements for patients. Stahl’s husband Aaron Latham has PD.

In May 2016, Miller became certified in the Rock Steady non-profit program and, as an affiliate, he opened Rock Steady Boxing South Shore in Marshfield that August. Attendance was overwhelming.

“The program went nuts,” he said.

They quickly outgrew the space and opened the Rockland gym. It’s the largest boxing and wellness center in the world for people with Parkinson’s disease, Miller said. He envisions fighting through the future at 110 Fitness and for people living with Parkinson’s disease and other disabilities.

“Creating a giant circle of compassion and not leaving anyone behind,” is how Miller describes it.

Miller feels his personal outlook of loyalty and encompassing others began with his military background — he was a special operations medic in the Army for eight years.

The gym is an all-inclusive center, however of the 105 people who work out nearly all are living with PD. The mission of 110 Fitness is to leave no person behind so that they may reach their full potential physically, mentally, and spiritually by inspiring them to give their 110 percent effort in order to find the greatest balance in their lives.

The physical therapy-based program is a non-contact, intense boxing fitness program designed to improve function, quality of life, strength, flexibility, and balance for people with Parkinson’s disease. Rock Steady boxing is the only medically and clinically proven exercise program to reduce, reverse, and delay the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, according to the 110 Fitness website.

Miller announced the newest program this month at 110 Fitness — boxing in the water. In collaboration with the Gold Fish Swim Center (in the adjacent building) boxing in the water will be a program for all levels of PD.

Boxing H20 is the first of its kind. The center also has popular fitness trend classes such as: drumming circles, meditation, pound, reiki, massage, peddling for PD cycling classes, art workshops, bowling events, free weekly guest speakers, care givers and young onset support groups. To see a full list of classes, times and membership information visit their website 110fitness.org.

Meet Fred

Freddy Maitland, 72, (boxing name: Fast Freddy) of Hanson was all smiles as he did core work and visibly perspired during his boxing class last week at 110 Fitness. Diagnosed approximately seven years ago he had depth perception and visual changes around stairs. Wife Kathy Maitland, a nurse for nearly 40 years said her husband made strides in delaying the progression of symptoms but didn’t have the typical signs that neurologists looked for in PD patients.

Fast Freddy has a cornerman who assists him with exercise in his level of boxing.

Corner men are what Miller calls his 40 volunteers who assist with classes. They vary from family members, nurses, to dedicated physical therapy students from local colleges in Boston, remaining with boxers throughout the class for extra assistance.

During class Fred Maitland worked hard as the liveliness in the gym environment triggered a wave of energy. The music was just like any other high paced fitness class with intense movement, rotating boxing bags, colorful gloves and lots of water.

Fred had some setbacks physically in progression of his PD symptoms after a bout of the flu and pneumonia last year. He continues to attend 110 Fitness where he puts on a gait belt for stability and does several exercises sitting down.

He laced up the gloves and punched his way to delay further cognitive decline. Wife Kathy was thrilled at the camaraderie at the gym aside of the physical benefits. He has been attending for two years.

“Fred was sick in the hospital and the friends we have made here had decorated a huge card and everyone signed it,” she added.

Helping vets

Miller’s wellness center is the largest in the world with a boxing program for Parkinson’s patients. He is launching an adaptive boxing program for disabled veterans in October 2018. They will also be working with an adaptive boxing program for youth and young adults a first in the country, he said.

Teaming up with the Friendship Home in Norwell and the State of Massachusetts DDS program  the youth boxing will include over a dozen young people living with  down syndrome, autism, and physical disabilities, Miller is looking forward to continuously adding to his educational programs and variety of opportunities to embrace all. They also host a women’s empowerment boxing class for those affected by domestic violence after teaming up with DOVE of Quincy and South Shore Women’s Center of Plymouth.

The gym also recently received grants through the National Parkinson Foundation and the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, which Miller has used for program development.

During their second anniversary celebration the 110 Fitness scholarship foundation  raised $65,000 to defray membership costs for people who cannot afford to attend the gyms valuable PD programs.

The event drew 400 people with guest speaker American Ninja Warrior Jimmy Choi of Chicago as their keynote speaker. Choi was afflicted by early onset PD and motivates others as he did to manage and rise above his disabilities.

Choi also spent time boxing and visiting the gym during the same weekend.

Miller is proudly involved with the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Davis Phinney Foundation. This month he rode 30 miles on a tandem bike with a friend who has PD raising  $10,000 for the Fox Foundation.

About Rock Steady

The foundation of Rock Steady Boxing a non-profit group offers training for qualified individuals. Rock Steady Boxing, the first boxing program of its kind in the country, was founded in 2006 by former Marion County (Indiana) Prosecutor Scott C. Newman, who is living with Parkinson’s.

Newman began intense, one-on-one, boxing training just a few years after he was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s at the age of 40. Newman witnessed the dramatic improvement in his physical health, agility and daily functioning through the intense and high energy workouts. Newman’s quality of life improved dramatically in a short time due to his fighting back against Parkinson’s disease.

The Parkinson’s disease foundation estimates there are more than 1 million people in the United States diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and more than 60,000 people are diagnosed each year, according to their website.

Whitman man hit with new child porn charges

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WHITMAN — A Whitman man is once again facing child pornography charges after a nearly five-month investigation led by federal officials with the Department of Homeland Security and Whitman Police Detective Joseph Bombardier.

Matthew Kulikowski, 37, of 52 Priscilla Road, Whitman was charged in U.S. District Court Sept. 10 on a federal criminal complaint based on the investigation which began April 2018 in relation to his alleged dissemination, possession and  receiving of child pornographic material.

A former guard at Norfolk state prison, Kulikowski was taken into custody last week following the execution of the federal search warrant in which agents seized evidence that he allegedly was knowingly in possession of the obscene images. He was charged with one count of each: receipt of child pornography and possession of the same.

In an obtained affidavit supporting the criminal complaints against Kulikowski, a special agent with Homeland Security documented materials retrieved after a search warrant was served for the premise of Kulikowski’s residence. According to the special agent, Kulikowski’s  tracking data placed him at the Whitman residence where the IP address matched a tablet device that had been flagged by investigators. The device reportedly contained 100 images of young children. The tablet was reportedly found inside a bookshelf of his bedroom.

Kulikowski had been required to wear a GPS tracking device and was on probation at the time of the Sept. 10 arrest for open cases from Plymouth District Court dating back to February of 2015.

Kulikowski’s 2015 charges in Plymouth Superior Court were: four charges of posing a child in a sexual way, one count each of possession of pornographic material, purchasing, disseminating obscene material of a minor, one count of indecent acts on a child under age 14, two counts of enticement of a child under age 16 and breaking and entering in the daytime.

The most recent charges stem from the five-month investigation, which began on  April 6, 2018 when a flagged account through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Canadian Police Centre for Missing and Exploited Children indicated a person using an account lovepreteengirl through an online chat via Kik App had transmitted child pornography.

According to the federal document, the special agent, who viewed the photographs that triggered the Kik report, offered his witness account in his probable cause statements that the materials did depict prepubescent girls under age 14 with visibly exposed genitalia. The Kik interactive app is a Canadian based company in Waterloo Ontario that owns Kik Messenger. Kik Messenger, commonly called Kik, is a freeware instant messaging mobile app from the Canadian company Kik Interactive, available free of charge on iOS and Android operating systems. The application is used to send and receive images, videos and other content and is usually available free for various tablet and mobile devices, according to their website.

The company’s safety information regarding usage and parental information is listed on the Kik’s website.

“Kik’s Safety Advisory Board is currently made up of four experts in the fields of child development, child exploitation and trafficking, criminology, cyber bullying, privacy and security,” Kik website data.

In published reports the Kik Application has been named in numerous incidents of enticement in minors.

Users of the application can often ‘hide’ their name in a false account and are not required to use their real name to set up an account. However IP addresses, and increased law enforcement specializing in cyber protection throughout the US and Canada are increasingly vigilant against the exploitation of children.

On April 6, 2018 Kik reported that user lovepreteengirl_rac sent apparent child pornographic material to another user from an IP address that was linked to Kulikowski.

The September 10 morning search warrant was issued on suspected child pornography tied to the distribution of such material.

Massachusetts State Police and Homeland Security agents along with Detective Joseph Bombardier interviewed and retrieved supporting evidence of the findings on cellular devices and a tablet which was seized at the home.

It was concluded that Kulikowski knowingly possessed child pornography and had proposed to intentionally transport the materials in his possession.

DA Timothy J. Cruz’s Office did not respond to requests for comment.

Hometown hero mourned

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HANSON — They met flying model airplanes.

Army National Guard Pilot Scott Landis, 34, of Hanson who was killed in a plane crash at the Cranland Airport last Friday, got involved in aviation through model aircraft, his lifelong schoolmate and best friend Scott Proulx said this week.

“I never continued on to fly real airplanes but have maintained a relationship with many area pilots,” said Proulx, a Hanson resident who lived at Cranland Airport for three years as a young boy.

Proulx spoke on behalf of the Landis family in a written statement this week.

“The family is doing as can be expected following a tragedy of this magnitude,” he said. “There is a tremendous amount of grief and sorrow. We are all devastated at the sudden loss of Scott Landis. He left this earth far too soon. Scott was a tremendous person and meant a great deal to many, many people.”

The Hanson community has felt a wave of emotion as residents learned of Scott Landis’ tragic death.

According to a statement from State Rep. Josh S. Cutler, D-Duxbury,  the town is preparing to pay its respects to Scott Landis, a pilot who was serving in the 126th Aviation Battalion deployed as part of U.N. Peace Keeping Force in Kosovo.

A wake will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 30 at the Sullivan Funeral Home, 3 Maquan St., Hanson.

He was due to return to Kosovo next week before his untimely death.

Scott Landis and his brother Patrick, who was also critically injured, were in flight planning to scatter the ashes of their father Richard Landis, 70, of Hanson who passed away from cancer two weeks ago. Landis was home on leave for his father’s funeral.

Patrick Landis, 29, remains Monday in a medically induced coma, a family spokesman said. He was airlifted to Tufts Medical Center in Boston by medical helicopter following the crash Friday Aug. 24  and remains in intensive care.

Scott Landis, alongside his friend and military colleague Anthony (Tony) Celia, was also a Whitman-Hanson graduate, was known to exhibit his flying with a bit of humor as he hovered over his hometown with the Army Black Hawk aircraft to alert his loved ones that he was home — flying a little lower to “make some noise” and let everyone know he was here, Landis said as he shared stories with campers and friends at DARE camp in 2016 taking photos and educating those attending about the chopper.

Landis’ aunt, Marie Conway Real, of Hanson, has started a GoFund me page to assist the family. In a recent update she expressed ongoing care following the accident for Patrick. He is paralyzed from the waist down among numerous other injuries. Real is the sister of Donna Landis who just lost her husband of 40 years.

Scott Landis, who was an established pilot, co-owned the plane, according to published reports. Although the investigation is open and ongoing, according to Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz’s office, witnesses reported the plane had only been in the air for a few minutes when a person on the ground reported hearing a sputter and stall of the engine. A dog walker found the downed plane alerting 911 from a bog area behind the Cranland Airport according to Cruz’s press release earlier in the week.

Celia who now lives in Carver and Scott Landis were both presented with awards of recognition for their service to town and country by Cruz.

Cruz acknowledged the passing of Chief Warrant Officer Landis on Twitter posting photo memories with the pilots from 2016.

“Our hearts are heavy after learning that Army/Nat’l Guard CW3 Scott Landis was killed in a plane crash in Hanson on Friday,” Cruz wrote. “On behalf of myself, the Sheriff, Police Chiefs and DARE Camp Staff, we would like to offer our deepest condolences to the Landis Family.”

Pegi Celia, who saw Landis grow up was overcome with grief Sunday. Her own three sons range in ages between the Landis sons. She said her son Anthony was unavailable for comment and he was emotionally supporting the Landis family — Scott’s widow Staci and toddler son  —over the weekend. She tearfully declined further comments only calling the crash “a tragedy” of her son’s longtime friend.

How to help

Donations to help the family of Scott Landis may be made through
https://www.gofundme.com/scott-staci-and-jack-landis
Donations for Patrick Landis may be made through
https://www.gofundme.com/support-patrick-landis.

Hanson pilot succumbs to injuries

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HANSON — The town is mourning the loss of a hometown active Army Black Hawkhelicopter pilot after a fatal crash in a bog behind the Cranland Airport on Friday.

Pilot Scott Landis, 34, of Hanson was confirmed as the victim of the fatal plane crash in a press release through District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz’s office. Landis was taken from the scene by first responders from several communities who accessed the wetland area behind the airport to reach the crash site. He was flown to Boston by medical helicopter but later succumbed to his injuries.

His brother Patrick Landis, 29, the second victim in the plane, was also taken to Tufts Medical Center in Boston by medical helicopter. His injuries were reported as life threatening.

The brothers were flying to scatter the ashes of their father Richard J. Landis, 70, who passed away on Aug. 7. Their father was a lifelong carpenter and well-known in the community, according to published reports.

The press release from Cruz’s also stated an initial 911 call was made by a man who was walking his dog and saw the yellow plane partially submerged in water.

The crash is under investigation by Federal Aviation Administration, State Police detectives assigned to the DA’s office, Hanson and Pembroke police, and the Mass. Dept. of Transportation Aeronautical Division.