Five members of Bahamian Da Pond Band killed in Flamingo Air crash

A Flamingo Air aircraft departing from Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau for San Andros crashed in a wooded area of North Andros on Friday, killing all ten people on board. The flight, which normally takes under 20 minutes, was carrying five members of the popular Bahamian group Da Pond Band, DJ Fresh and three other passengers.

Surviving vocalist Shenia Roberts, who had arrived on the island earlier that day, said she was waiting for the rest of the band when the plane went down. She noted the aircraft appeared old but had shown no problems before the crash.

"I'm still shocked that they're gone. I can't believe it," said band member Shaniese Miller, describing the loss as akin to losing family.

The victims identified by the group include Giovanni McKenzie, Mateo Winder, Rashad Storr, Tonique Gilot and Travis Johnson, along with DJ Fresh, whose real name is Melvin Henfield. The tragedy has deeply affected the Bahamian entertainment scene; singer Anishka Lewis said the country feels “wrecked” by the loss.

Investigators from the Bahamian Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority are examining the cause of the crash. Flamingo Air suspended all operations after a separate incident the same day in which another plane caught fire on landing in Nassau, though no injuries were reported.

According to Roberts, the pilot delayed departure for about two hours to fill additional seats, a practice sometimes used in the Bahamas when passengers pay per seat rather than chartering the whole aircraft. Roberts said the flight was intended to be a charter for the performers, making the delay unexpected.

Family members of other passengers, including a mother who believes her 16-year-old son was among those killed, are awaiting confirmation of identities. The airline’s owner declined to comment when contacted.