Five members of the beloved Caribbean band Da Pond Band have been identified among the ten victims who died in a horrific plane crash in the Bahamas, prompting the airline to suspend all its flights. The crash occurred on Friday, July 10, when a small plane operated by Flamingo Air went down in North Andros, killing all 10 people on board.
Band Members and DJ Among Victims
Da Pond Band singer Shaniese Miller expressed her shock and grief, telling 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.” The band had been scheduled to perform at an Independence Day celebration on Andros Island alongside a DJ. The band confirmed the deceased members as Giovanni McKenzie, Mateo Winder, Rashad Storr, Tonique Gilot, and Travis Johnson. Also killed was Melvin Henfield, known as DJ Fresh. Three other passengers, whose names have not yet been released, were also on the flight.
Surviving Vocalist Recalls Last Moments
Another vocalist for the band, Shenia Roberts, had flown to the island earlier that day on the same plane and with the same pilot. She said, “We could tell it was an old plane. But we didn’t have any issues.” Speaking about her bandmates, Roberts told CBS News, “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.” She also told local outlet Our News, “It’s been crazy. They were my people. They were the people that I saw every day of every week. I communicated with them every day. My whole life was my band and my music.”
Prime Minister and Union Pay Tribute
Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis paid tribute to the victims in a statement on X, writing that he was “praying for the families who are now facing unbearable grief.” He said, “This is a painful moment. The families affected deserve compassion, privacy, and support as the investigation proceeds.” The Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Union also expressed condolences, stating, “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.”
Airline Suspends Flights After Second Incident
Flamingo Air suspended all flights after two emergency incidents occurred on the same day. Bahamian officials confirmed that a separate plane operated by the airline caught fire after landing in Nassau on the same day as the fatal crash. CBS News reported that Bahamian investigators are looking into what caused the crash. The flight, which usually takes under 20 minutes, departed from Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau and was en route to San Andros when it crashed in North Andros, according to the Bahamian Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority.
