Published 8 December 2017
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
Five killed in St Croix plane crash
ST. CROIX — A plane crash near the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on Thursday night left all five occupants of the aircraft dead, The Consortium can confirm.
Five passengers aboard a private plane are now dead following a plane crash at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St.Croix.
The crash occurred at 8.54 pm on Thursday night.
The Virgin Islands Port Authority confirmed in a statement that the private plane experienced mechanical issues that caused the crash.
“Sadly, all five persons onboard perished – including the pilot,” the Port Authority said.
The deceased are believed to be members of a popular soca band in St Croix but the names of the deceased are withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Governor Kenneth Mapp and the Port Authority’s board, management and staff offered their deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased.
In other news Source
Police Commissioner Delroy Richards told The Consortium that the aircraft, a private chartered plane, took off from the St. Croix airport and soon after starting experiencing engine problems, with flames coming from one of its two engines. The pilot circled back and attempted to land at the airport, but the plane crashed in a field area near the runway, leaving all occupants, including the pilot, dead, Mr. Richards said.
The commissioner said the plane was a Baron-branded aircraft.
David Goodrich, commander of St. Croix Rescue’s extrication team, who was on the scene of the incident, told The Consortium that by the time they arrived on the scene, there was nothing they could do.
The plane included one member of the Stylee Band, however The Consortium will withhold the member’s name because next of kin notification still needs to occur.
The V.I.P.D. cordoned off the east and west entrances of the airport, only allowing in first responders. A medical examiner vehicle was spotted making its way to the scene, and a first responder at the crash site told this publication that emergency personnel were still investigating the incident at about 11:06 p.m. on Thursday.
The tragedy has cast a cloud of sadness over the territory, as the Stylee Band, currently one of the territory’s premier groups, is known to help carry the festival season, especially their performances during the Festival Village, j’ouvert morning and the parades.
And the news of the crash and the plane’s high-profile occupant sent a shock through social media, with thousands already mourning the unfortunate occurrence.
