Jamaican aviation community mourns tragic death of pilot and daughter in Florida plane crash
Published:Tuesday | November 11, 2025 | 12:39 PM
The Jamaican aviation community is mourning the tragic loss of pilot Alexander Wurm and his daughter Serena, who perished when their small plane crashed in a residential area of Coral Springs, Florida, on Monday morning.
The pair, both members of the Ignite the Fire Ministries, were transporting hurricane relief supplies to Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which devastated parts of the island two weeks ago.
In a statement, the Jamaican Aviators Operators and Pilots Association (JAOPA) said the Wurms “answered the call to serve, lending their time, skills and equipment in response to the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.”
“Sadly, they have made the ultimate sacrifice, leaving us way too early,” the statement continued. “Their work epitomises selfless sacrifice and humanitarian service and will be remembered for their tireless service to humanity.”
JAOPA expressed condolences to the Wurm family and members of Ignite the Fire Ministries, calling the pair “two shining beacons of hope” who have now “slipped the surly bonds to fly with the angels.”
According to The Gleaner’s report on Tuesday, the twin-turboprop aircraft “crashed into a pond in a gated residential neighbourhood of the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Coral Springs, killing two people shortly after take-off and narrowly missing homes.”
The flight had departed from the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport shortly after 10 a.m., bound for Jamaica with generators, batteries, tarpaulins, and other critical supplies intended for hurricane victims.
News of the crash has sent shockwaves through Jamaica’s aviation and humanitarian circles, where the Wurms were known for their compassion and volunteerism. The loss, JAOPA noted, “reminds us of the courage and devotion it takes to serve humanity, even in the most challenging circumstances.”
Investigations by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are ongoing.
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