Hundreds Gather for Candlelight Vigil Honouring Plane Crash Victims

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ANDROS, BAHAMAS – Tuesday night, hundreds of family members, friends, colleagues, and supporters went back to where it all started for the young musicians of the Da Pond Band.

It’s usually a place filled with music, laughter, and celebration on the weekends, but this time, attendees came to mourn.

Candles lit the venue, hugs replaced handshakes, and tears flowed freely as love ones gathered to honour the ten people who lost their lives in the North Andros Plane Crash.

Among those remembered were five members of the Da Pond including band leader Giovanni McKenzie, Rashad Storr, Mateo Winder, Toniquea Gilot, and Tra’vis Johnson.

Also honoured were DJ Melvin “DJ Fresh International” Henfield, Androsians Quintin Myers and Macaro Rolle, pilot Franklyn Cambridge, and the youngest victim, 16-year-old Nicholas Oliver Junior.

Each of the ten was represented on stage by a loved one. The first tribute came from Reverend Annamae Hinsey, Mateo Winder’s grandmother.

Annamae Hinsey – Grand Mother of Mateo Winder

“ He had a beautiful voice. I didn’t know that he was able to sing. But Mateo, I never had to reprimand him. I never got a report, bad report about Mateo, from preschool and primary school, neither high school. Never.”

Throughout the evening, one story after another painted a picture of ten lives that touched countless others.

Singer Meredith Williams shared how Giovanni McKenzie believed in her when others didn’t.

Earlier in the evening, the ceremony featured musical performances and tributes, as Bahamian artist Nishie L.S. performed an emotional medley of gospel songs.

The vigil was organised by Da Pond Productions Manager DJ Rev, who said the evening represents who Da Pond Band was.

Now also present last night were members of Parliament, including Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, delivering remarks on behalf of Prime Minister Philip Davis.