While expressing deep sadness and profound shock last night over the crash of a Chalks Ocean Airways plane off Miami in which some Bahamians were believed to have perished, Prime Minister Perry Christie told The Bahama Journal that the government would have to take a new look at the provision of air service into Bimini.
“For the Government of The Bahamas, there’s a question of viewing the entire process of aircraft [flying into Bimini],” Prime Minister Christie said. “Obviously, this is a tragedy that has negatively impacted an island that really existed on Chalks airline’s scheduled flights. It will cause a tremendous sense of concern to us because it was the way people moved by air.
“Even though we were in recent times adding new airlift to the island, this comes as a tremendous, tremendous and horrible experience in the lives of the people of Bimini.”
The prime minister said members of the Cabinet were having their annual Christmas luncheon at Government House when they received news of the plane crash, which occurred outside Government Cut near South Beach in Miami.
Witnesses at the scene reported that a portion of the aircraft burst into flames before it went down around 2:30pm.
Authorities in Miami reported that Chalks flight 101 had just departed Miami for Bimini when it started experiencing trouble. By early evening, officials said they had recovered 19 bodies, including three infants.
But they could not confirm how many passengers onboard the flight were Bahamians.
Prime Minister Christie also issued a statement last night saying that he had dispatched both Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe, who is also the representative for Bimini, and Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin to Bimini.
It is expected that they will be joined today by other senior government officials.
The prime minister also said in his statement that at first light today, the flight inspectorate of The Bahamas Government will dispatch a flight standards inspector to coordinate on behalf of The Bahamas information between the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
It was reported that The Bahamas Department of Civil Aviation had already been in contact with the FAA in Washington and was expecting a formal report.
The prime minister said the government would provide all the support that the families need at this time.
He told The Bahama Journal, “There’s a saying that the Lord never gives you more than you can bear. The people of Bimini have had tragedy – probably never like the one that’s unfolding now – but nevertheless we must be able to bear it.
“We are fully in support of the entire community and all of the families who will find out that they have suffered a tragic loss. We will do all that we can as a country, as a government, as a people to stand with them at this terrible time in their lives.”
He added, “I am deeply saddened by this horrible experience at this time of the year for our people. The people of Bimini must be under tremendous stress as a result of this absolute tragedy that has impacted their lives and our hearts go out to the people of Bimini. Our hearts go out to those Bahamians who were onboard and most certainly the families who have suffered loss.”
Mr. Christie urged the nation to pray for the families at this time.
He also reported that Bahamas Consul General to Miami Alma Adams was working with U.S. authorities to get more information on the crash and provide comfort to relatives of those who perished in the tragedy.
“The nation wishes to express its deepest condolences to the people of Bimini on their apparent loss,” the prime minister said. “I ask all Bahamians to join in prayer for what appears to be most serious tragedy.”
By: Candia Dames, The Bahama Journal
