KINGSTON, Jamaica — Chargé d’Affaires at the United States Embassy in Kingston, Elizabeth Martinez, commended Jamaica’s local authorities for their response to the crash of the US aircraft in Jamaican waters on Friday, September 5.

“Coordination between all of the Jamaican authorities and the Unites States authorities has been excellent and again we are very thankful,” Martinez said at a press briefing held at the Office of the Prime Minister Saturday (September 6).

Personnel from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the Ministry of Health and the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority also attended the briefing.

The small aircraft, crashed at approximately 1:10 pm just off the coast of Port Antonio, Portland after departing Rochester, New York, heading south to Naples, Florida, with two people on board. 

The aircraft bypassed Florida, flew over Cuba and into Jamaica waters, before dropping into the sea apparently after running out of fuel.

Martinez said that the United States Embassy has been in contact with the family members affected by the plane crash and will be keeping them updated.

Meanwhile the JDF assisted by US Coast Guard cutter Bernard Webber is currently executing search operations to locate the crashed aircraft.