A tragic plane crash occurred on Monday morning in Coral Springs, Florida, resulting in the deaths of two people. The aircraft was on a relief mission to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa, which had struck the island less than two weeks prior.
Details of the Crash
The small turboprop Beechcraft King Air plane took off from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at around 10:14 a.m. Shortly thereafter, at 10:19 a.m., emergency services responded to reports of the incident.
Witnesses reported hearing an unusual sound just moments before the crash, as the plane went down into a pond within a gated residential community.
Victims Identified
The victims were identified as Alexander Wurm, 53, and his daughter Serena Wurm, 22. They were affiliated with Ignite the Fire Ministry, which expressed profound sadness at their loss, highlighting their dedication to service and love.
Immediate Response
Emergency crews from the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department arrived on the scene quickly. Initially, rescue efforts did not locate anyone, leading to a shift in focus toward recovery operations.
Deputy Chief Mike Moser confirmed that while no homes were damaged, debris from the crash was found near the retention pond.
Impact on Local Residents
- Local resident Kenneth DeTrolio described how the plane impacted his backyard, damaging his fence and spilling fuel into his pool area.
- The strong odor of fuel lingered in nearby homes for hours following the incident.
Investigation Underway
Investigators, including federal aviation officials, are looking into the causes of the crash. The aircraft, built in 1976, has a capacity to seat between seven and twelve people.
The registered owner, International Air Services, is a company that facilitates aircraft registrations for non-U.S. citizens. Attempts to gather further information from the company were met with a refusal to comment.
Background on Hurricane Melissa
Hurricane Melissa, classified as a Category 5 storm, made landfall on Jamaica on October 28, causing widespread destruction. It affected approximately 90,000 families, damaging 120,000 structures.
- Over 2,000 people remained in shelters following the storm.
- The community in Broward County quickly rallied to collect relief supplies for those impacted by the hurricane.
This tragic event serves as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by those engaged in humanitarian efforts, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters.
