Survivor Speaks Out as Families Receive Financial Support

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – Relatives gathered to honor the five young Bahamians killed in the devastating June 28 Shirley Street crash, a tragedy that shook the nation.

For the first time since the crash, one of the only survivors is speaking out about that fateful night.

The families also received a heartfelt donation from the Bahamas Christian Council, offering much-needed financial support as they continue to grieve.

Our Evlynn Ferguson has the story.

For Bianca Mathurin, recovery from the June 28 Shirley Street crash has been a day-by-day journey.

One of the only survivors of that tragic accident that claimed the lives of five others, Mathurin spoke publicly for the first time today.

Detailing her recovery experience, she says it took an emotional toll on her as she tried to process what had happened.

Bianca Mathurin – Survivor, Shirley Street Car Crash

“Being in the hospital, it was scary, and then it was also playing with my mind because, I mean, everything that happened, and recovery is going well. I mean, still in my wheelchair, but day by day I’m getting better, so I thank God for that.”

And as she continues to heal, Mathurin says she has been deeply moved by the support she’s received.

Bianca Mathurin – Survivor, Shirley Street Car Crash

“I didn’t expect everything. I mean, I know it was a bad, tragic accident, but the way, like, the whole Bahamas and those people outside The Bahamas just was pouring love and praying for everyone to get better and praying for the families to find peace. It was just nice to see it, and I mean I can’t thank people enough and thank everyone for everything that they did and all the love that they poured in.”

Keno Gordon Jr., Stania Webb, Batrica Brown, Evalena Johnson and Diamond Stubbs were among the five people who lost their lives in that fatal crash.

Just weeks after laying his daughter, Diamond Stubbs, to rest in Cat Island, her father Damian Stubbs is also reflecting on the financial and emotional strain the tragedy placed on families.

He says support from across the country helped ease some of that pressure.

Damian Stubbs – Father of Diamond Stubbs

“With the stress, it was little, because of some assistance from the entire nation, it was a little less stress for us, as all families actually involved. Our main challenge was probably just getting the families to and from the island and stuff like that. We actually somehow got that came through. So this donation would actually just bring back some monies that we personally had to spend.”

That donation came today at Bahamas Harvest Church, where families gathered to remember their loved ones and find strength in community.

The Bahamas Christian Council presented the families with a cheque for twenty-one thousand, thirteen dollars, money intended to help offset funeral expenses.

Council President Pastor Mario Moxey says the response from churches across the country was driven by compassion and a desire to stand with the families in their time of need.

Pastor Mario Moxey – President, Bahamas Christian Council

“Like so many Bahamian families, as the news began to circulate, we automatically got an understanding of the gravity of the moment. As a Christian community and leaders, we discussed it and recognized it as something that we needed to do. And we thought that it would be great if we went to pool resources, ask the churches to come together, to compassion, offering. We made the call to churches, and they responded in such an incredible way. They gave of themselves. They gave their time and prayers.”

And as the families continue to grieve, the gathering also served as a moment of prayer for comfort, healing and strength.

Rev. Dr. Diana Francis – First Baptist Church

“The pain, the brokenness, oh God, the grief of our dear brothers and sisters who have lost significant loved ones, young people, we pray now your comfort, your divine grace. We pray, oh God, your healing to them in the name of the Lord Jesus.”