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Father and Daughter Die in Florida Plane Crash While on Aid Mission to Hurricane-Stricken Jamaica
CORAL SPRINGS, FL – A tragic plane crash in Coral Springs on Monday claimed the lives of a father and daughter who were en route to deliver vital supplies to communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. Alexander Wurm, 53, and his 22-year-old daughter Serena perished when the Beechcraft King Air plane Wurm was piloting went down into a residential lake shortly after taking off from Fort Lauderdale.
The impactful moment of the crash was captured on security cameras, showing the aircraft breaking apart as it hit the water. Authorities quickly responded to the scene, initially hoping for survivors, but the operation soon shifted to a recovery effort. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the incident.
Alexander Wurm was the founder of Ignite the Fire, an evangelical Christian ministry active across the Caribbean, including the Cayman Islands, with a history of delivering aid to Jamaica. Serena, following in her father’s footsteps, was deeply involved in humanitarian work.
Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful storms to ever hit the island, tragically killed at least 67 people, with 28 fatalities in Jamaica alone. Entire communities have been left in ruins, prompting aid agencies to scramble for resources like fresh food, water, shelter, blankets, and cleaning kits.
Ignite the Fire released a statement via Facebook honoring Alexander and Serena, highlighting their unwavering commitment to faith, compassion, and humanitarian efforts. “Throughout his life, Alex travelled extensively, reaching various countries and continents, where he tirelessly worked to bring faith, compassion, and support to those in need.
His legacy of faith and compassion touched countless lives,” the statement read. “Serena, following in her father’s footsteps, was a beacon of empathy and hope, inspiring all with her commitment to humanitarian work.
Together, their final journey embodied selflessness and courage, reminding us of the power of service and love.”
Wurm had just completed an aid delivery to Jamaica on November 4th. Crisis International, a charity that facilitates aid distribution, shared a video showing volunteers in Montego Bay handling supplies flown in by Wurm, which included solar panels, a Starlink system, and tarps – all items on their immediate needs list.
Sean Malone, founder of Crisis International, expressed his profound shock and disbelief. He noted that charities have increasingly relied on small planes for deliveries due to ongoing logistical challenges with major airlines, and that Wurm had been “absolutely amazing” by consistently flying in resources at his own expense.
“Today he didn’t turn up. Unfortunately we found out he crashed his aircraft in Coral Springs, Florida, and he and his daughter did not survive,” Malone said in a video statement, asking for prayers for their friends and family.
The hurricane caused extensive damage across Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Reliefweb, a news source run by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, reports that almost 2,500 people remain in temporary shelters in Jamaica, with one-third of houses destroyed in some western areas. In Cuba, 7,500 people are currently in shelters.