‘He was an uncle to the entire community’: Loved ones grieve 87-yr-old who died onboard ditched plane

Friends and relatives of 87-year-old Allen Russell who died when the plane in which he was a passenger, ditched in waters between Andros and New Providence, remembered him as gentle and kindhearted.

“He was an uncle to the whole community of North Andros, especially Lowe Sound,” Chansa Russell said.

Allen was a taxi driver on the island stationed at the local airport .

“I frequent North Andros and he is always telling jokes and always in good spirit,” Georgiemae Bethel remembered. “He was such a nice elderly man, always a gentleman, always smiling. I will miss seeing him when I go back to Andros.”

Russel and Emma McQueen died onboard the Piper Aztec which was bound for Lynden Pindling International Airport, when the pilot encountered difficulties, leading to an emergency water landing, eight miles west of New Providence.

Russell’s nephew Able Seaman Frederick Russell said his uncle was “a gentle giant”, respectable resident of the community, nonsense and a disciplinarian.

“He was very kind, outspoken and he basically was loved by everyone.

He said his uncle often came to New Providence for banking purposes.

Abria Griffin said, “Uncle Allen was one of the first faces you see when you land in North Andros to welcome you.”