Playground honors Provo family that died in plane crash


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PROVO — Almost two years ago, a devastating plane crash killed four members of a Provo family. Friday night, the family was honored by their community with a new playground at Rock Canyon Elementary School.

"I can't think of a better honor. It's wonderful and we're really grateful,” said Terry Foster, whose daughter Amy Openshaw died in the crash.

The Openshaws were traveling back to Utah in their plane when it crashed shortly after taking off in Missouri on June 12, 2015. Amy, 43, her husband Mark, 43, their son Tanner, 15, and their daughter Ellie, 12, died in the crash. Their son Max, 5, was the only survivor.

“(It was) every parent’s nightmare,” said Amy's mother, Kandy Foster. “The worst. The worst."

The Fosters said they will never forget the devastating call they received on the day of the crash. “To lose four of our family was devastating and we both cried for quite a while,” Terry said.

Almost two years ago, a devastating plane crash killed four members of a Provo family. Friday night, the family was honored by their community with a new playground at Rock Canyon Elementary School. (KSL TV)
Almost two years ago, a devastating plane crash killed four members of a Provo family. Friday night, the family was honored by their community with a new playground at Rock Canyon Elementary School. (KSL TV)

They said that Mark Openshaw was piloting the plane, headed back to Utah after visiting family in Missouri, when shortly after takeoff they crashed.

Terry said the field they landed in was a place the family visited often. “They just called it their heaven, you know, they loved being there, he said.

Family said the National Transportation Saftey Board’s investigation could not determine how the plane crashed.

Mark was an LDS bishop and served on the Utah State Board of Education. Amy was a loving mother of five. The couple’s two oldest sons were out of the country at the time.

The news of the deaths hit hard in the Provo community. Friends of the Openshaw’s decided to raise money for a new playground and dedicate it to the family.

Rock Canyon Elementary was a place the family knew well.

“Amy's greatest joy was being a mom and so she spent so much time at that school,” Kandy said. “She was PTA president and was always there."

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