Biminites In Mourning
This is a time of profound grief for Biminites still reeling from what is being described as the single greatest tragedy in the history of their island.
Sabrina and Barto Dean
Jacquelyn Stuart
Nyesha Fox
Jervis Stuart
Salome Rolle
Don Smith
Numb with pain and frozen by shock, many grief-stricken residents yesterday began the arduous and grim task of identifying the bodies of family members who perished Monday after an ill-fated Chalk’s Airways flight crashed into waters off Miami, killing all 20 people on board, including three infants.
Officials have confirmed that 11 Biminites and one American who had moved to the island were aboard the 58-year-old aircraft that crashed only moments after taking off.
"Right now, we’re not coping too well. Everything is really at a standstill. The whole island right now is depressed," said Patrice Saunders, the godmother of one of the young victims and a good friend and church partner of one of the women who was on the flight.
According to Mrs. Saunders she had planned to take a trip to Florida today on Chalk’s airlines, but that decision may be shelved.
"I don’t even know if I can handle that. This is one time when I told my husband that I was going to stay home for the holidays. For the past three years, I have not stayed on the island," she said.
"How I feel right now I don’t know if I want to take any aircraft….All we ask right now is that the nation continues to pray for us here in Bimini."
Elizabeth Sherman told a similar story of pain and sadness.
"Oh my goodness. This is such a sad, sad feeling. Everyone is so upset. There is no way to describe the way people are feeling right now," she said.
"We have never experienced something like this in the whole history of Bimini and I’m sure this holiday season will be a long one to be remembered."
Tourism Minister and Member of Parliament for West End and Bimini, Obie Wilchcombe travelled to the island on Monday shortly after learning of the tragedy. He told a similar story of grief tearing through the close-knit community where "everyone knows everyone."
"The people are in shock," he said.
"They are hurting. The pain was obviously excruciating. Emotions are very high. Each place we went – and I went to every single house (Monday) evening of the family members, you could just feel the emotion, the hurt and the pain. But there was also a lot of love being poured in from every single sector. And I’m hoping that that prevails because this has certainly stopped everyone cold in their tracks. And this is not going to be easy but very, very difficult.
"For many Biminites to sit and watch the replay of the tragedy and then the search, you could only imagine the cell phones that were ringing when relatives were told that a brother or sister, grandfather, husband or wife was gone. It is going to be very difficult."
Authorities said many of the victims were returning home to the tiny island after wrapping up their traditional Christmas shopping.
"We know all of them. Don Smith was a well loved man here," Minister Wilchcombe said during a telephone interview with The Bahama Journal from Bimini.
"We knew the sisters who died – a wonderful family. We knew the youngsters who perished, the young men, the family that lost four and so we know all of the persons who died tragically."
Among the victims were Genevieve Ellis, who was reportedly in her mid-60s and recently retired after working nearly three decades as a janitor at a junior school.
Also among the deceased were Barto and Sabrina Dean, who were reportedly returning home with their infant daughter, Sabrea.
Other passengers included Mr. Smith, a dock master who had worked at the Bimini Big Game Resort & Marina for many years. He was traveling with his one year-old grandson.
The part-time barber, who was also affectionately known as "Daddy Don," had just attended his daughter’s graduation from Florida State University.
Jackie Stuart-Levarity and her daughter were also on board.
Transport and Aviation Minister, Glenys Hanna-Martin travelled to Bimini shortly after the crash, and Prime Minister Perry Christie and Foreign Affairs Minister, Fred Mitchell traveled yesterday.
Government officials were also expected to fly to Florida to meet with family members of the victims.
According to Minister Wilchcombe, the prime minister also instructed the government’s Washington-based lawyers who will monitor the investigation and work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Chalk’s airlines to ensure that the rights of Bahamians – both the victims and their family members – are protected.
Minister Wilchcombe said plans were underway for a memorial service.
"We’re working on this. I have already spoken with the chief councilor, church leaders and I am hoping to speak with the president of the Christian Council here, so that we can immediately arrange to bring the community together and give God thanks. And that’s a service which the prime minister will attend," he said.
"This is a time when the country must come together for a small island of people who have been so tragically struck."
Leader of the Free National Movement, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham yesterday expressed deep regret and heartfelt sympathy over the tragedy.
In a press statement he said: "Unexpected tragedy is never easy. When it strikes our families and friends less than a week before the celebrations of Christmas, it seems unbearable. I and all Bahamians join in prayerful hope that Christ’s love will strengthen us all, but most particularly the families of Bimini at this heartbreaking time.
"There are so many unanswered questions at this time, as we try to come to terms with how so ordinary an experience as a short flight home from a shopping trip to Florida could go so wrong for our family and friends. We look forward to learning the circumstances which may have led to this terrible accident."
Mr. Ingraham expressed gratitude to all who aided in the search and rescue mission.
The Bahamas Christian Council also expressed sadness over the incident.
- The Bahama Journal www.jonesbahamas.com
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Victims List
Originally Posted by watsayu
anyone who opposes 
never listens
Speak or hold your beef
Re: Biminites In Mourning
is so full when I just imagine of the pain these persons family members are going through, I encourage them to put there trust in God cause there is no pain that heaven cannot heal
Only wat u do 4 christ will last 
Re: Biminites In Mourning
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