By: Staff Writer
September 17, 2024
The victims of the fatal plane crash that killed two people in The Bahamas last week Thursday were all about family love.
One of the victims, Emma Williams was on her way to her mother’s funeral in Lowe Sound, Andros, when the Piper Aztec she was on crashed, resulting in the deaths of her and another passenger.
The second crash victim, Allen Russell, believed to be in his 80s, was a beloved local taxi driver in Andros, leaving behind several children and grandchildren.
The two were on board that Piper Aztec, along with four other people, when the plane ditched in waters about eight miles west of New Providence.
The four survivors were treated at a hospital following the incident on Thursday afternoon.
According to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA), the aircraft was enroute to the Lynden Pindling International Airport with six souls on board when the pilot encountered difficulties, which subsequently led to him ditching the aircraft in waters approximately eight miles west of New Providence.
Officials said emergency response protocols were initiated by the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Royal Bahamas Defense Force and the United States Coast Guard.
Donna Sweeting, Ms Williams’ sister, was distraught as she spoke about her deceased sister. She had not seen her sibling since the passing of their mother, Roselda Knowles, who died in August.
Recounting planning the funeral, she said: “It was a bit rough, because even with my mom, that wasn’t expected. We just planned her funeral. I told my sister ‘I’ll send our photo mummy tomorrow’, because she was going home so she wouldn’t have seen her.”
Ms Willams had not seen her mother since she passed. The last time she saw her mother alive was when Ms Knowles was admitted in hospital.
Meanwhile, Russell, a resident of Lowe Sound, was remembered fondly by a loved one who asked to remain anonymous. She remembered seeing him about two weeks ago.
She said: “We would always hug each other and chat. He was a wonderful person, very liked in the community. I knew my Uncle Allen all my life. From I was able to understand and stuff, he was always a part of the family. He was always there. It is sad.”
She did not know the reason for his travel.