Da Pond Band mourns five members killed in Bahamas plane crash

Five members of Da Pond Band were among 10 people killed when a Flamingo Air Cessna 402 crashed in a wooded area of North Andros after leaving Nassau for San Andros on Friday, July 10. All 10 people aboard died, including nine men and one woman, as the plane headed to a performance at the 31st annual All-Andros and the Berry Island Regatta on Andros Island.

Surviving vocalist Shenia Roberts said she had already arrived on Andros and was waiting for the rest of the group when the crash happened. Roberts identified the dead band members as Giovanni McKenzie, Mateo Winder, Rashad Storr, Tonique Gilot and Travis Johnson, and said they were “my friends, my confidants.” She said she had spoken with them earlier that morning and the night before, and added, “You could tell it was an old plane,” though she said the band had not experienced any problems.

Another surviving member, Shaniese Miller, said she was “still shocked” and could not believe they were gone, calling the victims her family. Miller said Da Pond Band had performed together the previous Friday at a weekly Nassau show that drew international visitors. Melvin Henfield, known as DJ Fresh, was also on board.

The Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Union said musicians and a DJ were among the dead and praised their passion, dedication and artistry. Singer Anishka Lewis said “this country is wrecked,” and said she had been in rehearsals with the band until about 1 a.m. the night before the crash, then told them she loved and appreciated them and could not wait to see them on Saturday.

The Bahamian Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority said the crash was one of two Flamingo Air safety incidents that day. In the earlier case, a Flamingo Air plane bound for Mayaguana turned back to Nassau after the pilot reported a concern, then caught fire after passengers deboarded. The government temporarily grounded Flamingo Air flights while investigators examined both incidents, and Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis later said the nation was in mourning during the Bahamas’ 53rd independence anniversary celebrations.