Five members of Da Pond Band, a popular Caribbean music group, were killed when a Flamingo Air plane crashed in the Bahamas on Friday, killing all 10 people on board. Singer Shaniese Miller, speaking to reporters, said she was 'still shocked' by the loss of her bandmates, whom she described as family.
Crash Details and Victims
The flight departed from Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau and was headed to San Andros, a route typically taking less than 20 minutes. The plane crashed in North Andros, according to the Bahamian Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority. The band was traveling to perform at an Independence Day celebration on Andros Island, along with a DJ.
The deceased band members have been identified as Giovanni McKenzie, Mateo Winder, Rashad Storr, Tonique Gilot, and Travis Johnson. Also on board was Melvin Henfield, known as DJ Fresh. Three other passengers, who were not performers, have not yet been publicly named.
Singer's Emotional Response
Miller told CBS News: 'I'm still shocked that they're gone. I can't believe it. They're my family and I never expected that to happen.' She recalled being with the band the previous week at a performance in Nassau, saying, 'We were having so much fun, and after the second set, they were just saying how they were so excited to go to Andros.'
Another vocalist, Shenia Roberts, had arrived on the island earlier that day on the same plane with the same pilot. She told CBS News: 'You could tell it was an old plane. But we didn't have any issues.' Roberts added: 'They were the people that I talked to in the morning, in the night. They were my friends, my confidants. And I was waiting on them.'
Official Reactions and Investigation
Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis paid tribute on X, writing he was 'praying for the families who are now facing unbearable grief.' He added: 'This is a painful moment. The families affected deserve compassion, privacy, and support as the investigation proceeds.'
The Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Union released a statement saying: 'Among the dearly departed are some of the talented and vibrant members of our entertainment community, including members of The Pond Band and a DJ. (Their) passion, dedication, and artistry touched so many lives and helped to enrich the cultural fabric of The Bahamas.'
Bahamian investigators are looking into the cause of the crash. Flamingo Air suspended all flights after two emergency incidents on the same day, including a separate plane that caught fire after landing in Nassau.
