Maleka Grimes Jackson, a 39-year-old mother, has been identified as the victim in this weekend’s tour boat explosion in the Bahamas.
Jackson, a 39-year-old from Chattanooga, Tenessee, was a passenger on the 40-foot chartered tour boat that exploded off the coast of Exuma on Saturday, June 30. In total, there were 12 people on the boat when it exploded around 9 a.m. local time on June 30.
In addition to the passing of Jackson, the accidental explosion also injured 9 other people, including a 22-year-old American woman who had to have both of her legs amputated.
Jackson was in the Bahamas celebrating her 15-year wedding anniversary, according to her father. She was the only person to die as a result of the tragedy.
via WRCB:
Four people were airlifted to a hospital in Florida and five others were taken to Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau, on New Providence Island, Bahamas, Knowles said. Two others who were aboard the boat were not injured, Knowles said.
Stefanie Schaffer, 22, was among those injured in the explosion. He said his niece, who has participated in ballet and sports her entire life, had both of her legs amputated below the knee after the explosion. Stefanie’ Schaffer’s sister, mother and stepfather, who were with her at the time of the explosion, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to a GoFundMe page set up for the family’s medical expenses.
The U.S. Coast Guard’s seventh district, which encompasses Florida and is headquartered in Miami, received a call from the Royal Bahamas Police Force at approximately 11 a.m. on Saturday asking for assistance with those injured in the explosion, according to a press release.
A HC-130 Hercules airplane crew with two medical personnel from Air Station Clearwater deployed and transported the boaters to the air station where emergency medical services awaited.
At this time, the Exuma branch of the Royal Bahamas Police Force are currently investigating the cause of the explosion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJQSHmCoY7g
