A community is rattled, with many unable to go home after a private jet heading to the Bahamas plunged from the sky Sunday afternoon, killing all nine passengers aboard in Greenacres. A Mass for “Día de los Muertos” or Day of the Dead in Royal Palm Beach honored the nine souls who were killed in the tragic jet plane crash several miles away. Bishop Manuel de Jesus Rodriguez of Palm Beach County offered prayers for those lost and for their families who are now mourning. We may not yet know their names, but God knows each of them, he said. We pray too for families who woke up yesterday with plans and went to bed with grief.
Near the crash site, officials have set up a shelter where roughly 35 people spent the night after the crash scene blocked the entrance to neighborhoods and displaced around 600 people as officials began their investigation. Speaking to 7News in Spanish, displaced resident Joseph Santana said he heard a loud boom that shook his whole house. Santana lives in a mobile home community right next to the crash site and said the aftermath was like a horror film. He said he saw body parts, pieces of planes, people screaming and crying, and rushed to see if anyone needed help; however, sadly, there was no one to save.
In shock, many residents grabbed important documents, clothes, whatever they could gather within minutes, but were not allowed to move their cars to go to work Monday morning. They told 7News Monday they’re uncomfortable, but grateful to be alive. One of those residents, who is also displaced, is Oswaldo Jaime. In Spanish, he told 7News he heard a loud bang that lasted less than a second. Just like Santana, Jaime said he saw scattered body parts and airplane pieces on the ground.
As the investigation stretches into Monday, Jaime said he expects to stay at the shelter for the next few days and doesn’t know when authorities will allow him and others to return home. Area resident Ramon Prew, who is also staying at the shelter, said the last 24 hours have not been easy. Not very pleasant at all. It’s cold in this place and not very hospitable, but it’s home for the next few days, I think, he said. Despite the uncomfortable conditions, those in the shelter say they are grateful to have a roof over their heads and, most importantly, that nobody else in the community was hurt or killed by the plane crash. I am happy to be alive, said Jaime.
Officials said residents most likely will not be able to return to their mobile homes until authorities clean and clear the area. The NTSB is urging people to send them videos and pictures to help their investigation. If interested, email: [email protected]
