Photos from social media reportedly showing wreckage from the plane in Andros.
By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
THE son of one of the North Andros plane crash victims has said the news that officials have found the debris field from the accident is the “latest and hardest” hit in a series of stunning blows.
Kermit Adderley Jr’s mother, Margaret Adderley, was travelling to Nassau from Andros to see her newborn grandson when the ill-fated plane went down in the ocean. The 49-year-old mother of two was one of six people on board who died.
On Sunday, nearly six weeks after the incident, crash investigators confirmed a debris field discovered by fishermen in waters off Andros earlier this month was that of the plane that crashed.
“I am still working through the flight going down,” Mr Adderley told The Tribune. “Now we have to go through this process hit by hit, with no one showing the people who died any respect.”
According to Mr Adderley, crash investigators have not been forthcoming with information related to the incident.
He said family members have been left to comb through media reports and internet gossip to learn of any changes in the case.
“Every day it was something new if you listen to what people say out here and on sites. And that’s what made it hard to deal with.
“It hurts more watching the news and reading things, not knowing what is what. Some people saying it (the found debris) was another plane from years ago and all that.
“You don’t know what to go by and when you ask the government people, they don’t know nothing or then didn’t want to tell us,” he said.
Mr Adderley said he was asked to give DNA samples shortly after the crash, however, was unaware if the request was made to help identify his mother’s remains.
“We did what they ask. They wanted DNA, I gave that. We were back and forth for two weeks with that. No time to grieve.
“We coming up on six weeks now. We hearing about remains, skeletons; body parts. Government people still ain’t saying nothing. What are we to do?”
The Tribune understands that none of the families involved has been able to carry out funeral arrangements - all waiting for officials to confirm if any remains were found.
Mr Adderley said: “We started making up funeral arrangements, doing an obituary, that sort of stuff; now this. Now we are back at square one.
“We don’t know if we getting remains or be left in the dark again. We are hurting.
“I don’t know where it went wrong or who went wrong, but it’s hurtful, they are acting like these people were just toys out there.”
In addition to Mrs Adderley, Desiree Shaneig Russell and her young daughter Destinique Wilson; Carter Campbell, a local store owner; Valentino Knowles and Captain Darren Clarke died in the January 17 crash.
Since the incident, officials have revealed the pilot lacked the required licences to charter flights.
Investigators also believe weather may have played a role in the crash.
The Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority has, in the wake of the crash, pledged to clamp down on illegal charter operations by embracing technology, involving law enforcement and increasing surveillance to identify and prosecute law-breakers in the aviation industry.
Comments
John 6 years, 1 month ago
Shameful that many of the authorities and government departments still operate in a 'it's none of your business mode.' When persons lose loved ones anything that can bring closure and more comfort is welcome. And the authorities seem to be more forth coming about information about the plane than what human remains were recovered. And if the 'entire wreckage' was recovered and is on it's way to an air traffic investigation facility in the USA, surely some remains of personal effects were found. As simple as calling the concerned family members together and saying what is the procedure from here on in. Closed minds.
DDK 6 years, 1 month ago
Quite frankly, I am afraid "the authorities" just don't care. I don't believe they ever do. I am sorry for those going through such sorrow knowing how insensitive "the authorities" can be. "Authority" always seems to go to their heads.
Porcupine 6 years, 1 month ago
The "national tragedy" of this accident is the way it has been handled since the day this plane went down. The Bahamas seems incapable of just doing the right thing. I am disappointed with each successive daily newspaper I read. Will it ever change? Honestly? Can we ever carry on this country's business as adults, or are we mired in the behaviour of adolescents for all time?
Chucky 6 years, 1 month ago
You are so right. Sadly this is in our nature, in our blood , in our society and our government. We are a nation of disgusting and morally bankrupt people.
The amazing part is that so many espouse such pride, so many cry about immigrants, so many cry about being wronged. When in reality, we have nothing to be proud of. We should welcome all immigration, legal or not, as it's simply impossible for anyone who comes here to be worse than a Bahamian.
We have become the lowest form of life / society since independence.
I'm sure mother England is glad to be rid of us!
joeblow 6 years, 1 month ago
Sweeping generalizations are always incorrect. By extension you have to be included in the category of persons you seem to despise. and I seriously doubt you are a true Bahamian.
There are still many decent, upright, hardworking moral Bahamians in this country. They are quietly going to work, raising their children in traditional families while protesting the seemingly irreversible moral slide this country is on. The corrupt, amoral majority are a problem, no doubt, but its the decent folk who still give this country a glimmer of hope! Its the decent folk who could have repatriated to a foreign country long ago, but stayed because they genuinely love this country!
stillwaters 6 years, 1 month ago
Chucky, you hate yourself, and by extension.......you hate Bahamians. Grow up, already!!!!!
B_I_D___ 6 years, 1 month ago
So thankful that the families can hopefully find a little bit more closure now that the bulk of the wreckage, and additional remains have been found. Regardless of what they are trying to spin on the accident, licensing, etc, each aircraft accident and crash deserves to have the maximum effort exerted on it's investigation. Clearly this did not and is not what is happening. Sad.
sheeprunner12 6 years, 1 month ago
What happens in Andros .......... stays in Andros ........... It is a "close-knit community".
sealice 6 years, 1 month ago
Am sure it's just that the gubmint don't know WTF happened so they can't say anything
Jetflt 6 years, 1 month ago
This country has dealt with many an aircraft accident and the level with which they approach accident investigations is reprehensible. More importantly, the Civil Aviation’s outreach to family following an accident is practically non existent. They need to go spend some time with the NTSB in the U.S. and learn how to do this right!
quietone 6 years, 1 month ago
My, My, Much truth has been said here... I could probably write about our situation forever... one thing I believe has really messed us up is that our leaders/authorities wait WAY too long to solve problems, which could well cause many of them to become UNSOLVABLE!
For years I have been saying that even if we get a handle on solving most of the murders and other crimes, all these fast speeding cars on our roads will still be causing many of us to lose or our life or be seriously injured!
WHY!? The word WHY I believe can enable us to solve many of our problems, as well as using Brainstorming methods! Are we trying to please/satisfy too many family members and friends so they won't suffer for the crimes they commit, etc, etc...?
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