Bahamian Music Group Devastated After Bandmates Die in Plane Crash

The Bahamian musical group Da Pond Band is reeling from the deaths of five of its members and a popular DJ, who perished when a small plane operated by Flamingo Air crashed on Friday. The group, known for its lively Caribbean music, was en route to perform at an Independence Day celebration on Andros Island.

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They were the people that I talked to in the morning, in the night. They were my friends, my confidants. And I was waiting on them.

Ten people were on board the flight, which departed from Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau and was headed for San Andros. The flight, typically under 20 minutes, crashed in North Andros. Shenia Roberts, a vocalist for Da Pond Band who had arrived earlier on the island, described the deceased as her friends and confidants.

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You could tell it was an old plane. But we didn't have any issues.

"I'm still shocked that they're gone. I can't believe it," said Shaniese Miller, another surviving band member. "They're my family and I never expected that to happen." Miller recalled their last performance the previous Friday, describing their shows as the "hottest spot" in Nassau, attracting international visitors.

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I'm still shocked that they're gone. I can't believe it. They're my family and I never expected that to happen.

Bahamian investigators are examining the cause of the crash. Flamingo Air has suspended all flights following this incident and a separate event earlier the same day where another of its planes caught fire after landing in Nassau. Officials have not yet released the names of the three other passengers who were not performers on the ill-fated flight.

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It's the hottest spot, every Bahamian is there. International people fly over just to come to see Da Pond. We were having so much fun, and after the second set, we were, they were just saying how they were so excited to go to Andros.