A tragic incident occurred in Coral Springs, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale, as a small plane en route to provide hurricane relief in Jamaica crashed into a pond, claiming the lives of both individuals aboard. The rescue operation, initially focused on finding survivors, has now transitioned to recovery under the supervision of local law enforcement. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries to residents in the area.
Broward County, where the plane took off and crashed, is recognized for its vibrant Caribbean American community actively engaged in collecting aid supplies following the impact of Hurricane Melissa, a destructive Category 5 storm that struck Jamaica recently.
First responders, including the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department, swiftly arrived at the scene following the crash report. While no residential property sustained damage, debris was discovered near a nearby pond by rescue teams. Despite extensive search efforts, no victims were found in the water.
Authorities confirmed the conclusion of the rescue mission without any recoveries. The responsibility for recovery operations now lies with the police, while federal aviation authorities are set to investigate the crash’s cause.
Eyewitness Kenneth DeTrolio recounted the harrowing experience of witnessing the plane crashing through his backyard into the water, causing damage to his property and leaving a strong fuel odor in his home. The impact of the crash was severe, scattering debris across his yard and polluting his pool and back porch.
The Beechcraft King Air aircraft departed from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport before the crash occurred shortly after takeoff. Aerial footage displayed the plane colliding with trees and damaging a residential fence before submerging into a nearby lake.
According to records from the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane was registered to International Air Services, a company specializing in trust agreements for non-U.S. citizens registering aircraft with the FAA. The company declined to comment when contacted by a reporter.
Hurricane Melissa, a powerful storm that hit Jamaica on October 28, caused widespread destruction in various countries, leading to relief efforts being mobilized. In Jamaica alone, the hurricane tore the roofs off 120,000 structures, affecting tens of thousands of families in the western region, with many seeking shelter in the aftermath of the disaster.
