A Flamingo Air plane crash today in the Bahamas killed all 10 people aboard on Friday. The small aircraft had left Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau for San Andros and went down in North Andros. The flight’s passengers included members of Da Pond Band, a DJ and three other travelers.
Da Pond Band on the flight
Da Pond Band said five members died: Giovanni McKenzie, Mateo Winder, Rashad Storr, Tonique Gilot and Travis Johnson. The band also said Melvin Henfield, known as DJ Fresh, was on the flight, along with three other passengers whose names had not been released by officials. Da Pond Band and the DJ had been set to perform at an Independence Day celebration on Andros Island.
Shenia Roberts, the group’s vocalist, said she flew from Nassau on the same plane around 7 a.m. She told CBS News, “You could tell it was an old plane,” and added, “But we didn't have any issues.” That detail now sits beside the wreckage in North Andros, where everyone aboard died.
Flamingo Air flights halted
Flamingo Air suspended all flights after two emergency incidents on the same day. Earlier on Friday, a separate Flamingo Air plane caught fire after landing in Nassau, and there were no casualties. For customers and families waiting on the airline, the immediate effect is a full stop while the Bahamian Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority examines what led to the crash.
Family members wait for names
Anasthasia Rolle said she believed her 16-year-old son, Nicholas Oliver Jr., was among those killed. She said he had been set to take a ferry earlier in the day with his father, but they got there too late, and he was added to the flight at the last minute. Her account puts a face on the list of passengers still not fully identified by officials.
Shaniese Miller, another surviving member of Da Pond Band, said, “I'm still shocked that they're gone. I can't believe it,” and, “They're my family and I never expected that to happen.” Anishka Lewis said, “They meant so much to so many people, this country is wrecked,” after telling the band members in rehearsals till about 1 a.m. that she loved and appreciated them. The crash has now moved from a transport accident into a loss felt across the group’s audience and the families still waiting for answers.
