Evangelist and daughter identified as plane crash victims en route to Jamaica for hurricane relief
The two people who died Monday when a plane crashed in Florida en route to Jamaica have been identified as a Caymanian father and daughter who were on their way to the Caribbean island to assist in Hurricane Melissa relief efforts.
READ: Plane en route to Jamaica for hurricane relief crashes in Florida – reports
Evangelical church ministry Ignite the Fire identified the victims as its CEO Alexander Wurm, 53, and his daughter, Serena, 22.
“Evangelist Wurm is the founder of Ignite the Fire Ministry, dedicated to empowering youth through missions and evangelism across the Caribbean… Serena, following in her father’s footsteps, was a beacon of empathy and hope, inspiring all with her commitment to humanitarian work,” the church said in a statement on social media.
It added, “Together, their final journey embodied selflessness and courage, reminding us of the power of service and love.”
Wurm leaves behind his wife and two other children.
According to US media reports, the Beechcraft King Air twin-turboprop plane took off from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport about 10:14 am en route to Jamaica, before crashing into a man-made pond in Coral Springs minutes later.
The cause of the crash is still unclear.
Jamaican Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said the plane had no permit to land in the country but had made two trips to the island prior to the fateful crash.
READ: Plane which crashed en route to Jamaica had no permit to land, says Vaz