On a normally lively spot famed for Bahamian rhythms and joyful gatherings, sorrow descended as hundreds of community members came together to mourn the 10 lives lost in the Independence Day plane crash off North Andros. The Pond, the local venue that hosted the candlelight vigil, drew roughly 300 attendees Monday night, with crowds spilling outside into the yard as every space inside was filled by grieving relatives, friends and community leaders.
Among the ten victims of the crash were five core members of the beloved Bahamian group Da Pond Band: band frontman Giovanni McKenzie, Rashad Storr, Mateo Winder, Toniquea Gilot and Tra’vis Johnson. The other lives cut short included well-known DJ Melvin Henfield, professionally known as DJ Fresh International, Andros natives Quintin Myers and Macaro Rolle, the plane’s pilot Franklyn Cambridge, and 16-year-old Nicholas Oliver Jr., the youngest victim of the tragedy.
The vigil’s most heart-wrenching moment came during a symbolic final roll call led by prominent Bahamian DJ Rev. Modelled after a pre-departure flight check at San Andros Airport, DJ Rev called each victim’s name one by one, and a representative for the victim stepped forward to light a memorial candle. As echoes of raw grief filled the venue, family members struggled to contain their anguish: some became entirely inconsolable, while others stood rigid, tears streaming down their faces as they clutched their flickering candles. Midway through the roll call, DJ Rev was overcome with emotion and unable to finish calling the remaining names, pausing to compose himself as the community held space for his sorrow.
The evening opened with musical tributes, worship and personal reflections from those closest to the victims. Bahamian artist Nishie L.S delivered an emotional medley of gospel hymns, but was so overcome by grief at the conclusion of her performance that she had to be escorted off stage by attendees who comforted her as she wept. Rev Annamae Hinsey, grandmother of victim Mateo Winder, shared a personal reflection on her grandson’s life, recalling his early love of music and the years they spent together in church, where she taught him to pray. She told the gathered crowd she had previously received a divine vision foreshadowing tragedy, and spent weeks fasting and praying to understand the vision’s meaning, before God revealed the words “accident, sudden death.” She said she begged for God’s protection for her grandchildren, especially Winder, but finds peace in the knowledge that her grandson gave his life to Christ in his final moments.
Singer Meredith Williams paid tribute to Da Pond Band leader Giovanni McKenzie, crediting him with giving her her first public performance opportunity when other industry figures turned her away. She highlighted the band’s unmatched talent and their indelible mark on Bahamian cultural and musical life. Multiple members of the Bahamian Parliament attended the vigil, and Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper delivered remarks on behalf of Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, urging the grieving community to lean on their faith during this devastating time and extending official condolences to all those impacted by the crash.
Speaking to reporters before the vigil, DJ Rev noted the added layer of loss for the venue’s community: The Pond’s owner hails from Andros, and DJ Rev personally knew all five members of Da Pond Band. He reflected that the band was traveling to Andros to celebrate and share traditional Bahamian rake and scrape music, meaning they died doing what they loved while representing their culture. “These people died happy going to Andros to represent Bahamian culture as it pertains to rake and scrape,” he said. “So the legacy will be even bigger.”