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©Associated Press
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 26, 2001
MARSH HARBOUR, Bahamas -- R&B singer and actor Aaliyah, 22, died Saturday when a small plane that was to carry her and eight others to Opa-locka crashed after takeoff in the Bahamas, authorities said.
Eight were killed, and one critically injured man was flown to Florida for treatment, officials said.
"We find it devastating and most unfortunate that after having this world-famous star Aaliyah and her crew select the Bahamas as their choice location for her latest video, the project has climaxed on such a tragic note," said Minister of Tourism Tommy Turnquest, who was visiting Abaco Island, where the plane went down.
Aaliyah's song Try Again earned her a Grammy nomination for best female R&B vocalist. She made her feature acting debut in the film Romeo Must Die.
Bahamian national television quoted the civil aviation department as saying Aaliyah was among nine Americans on board.
The plane was leaving the Marsh Harbour airport for Opa-locka in Miami-Dade County when it went down Saturday evening, said police spokesman Marvin Dames. Abaco Island Chief Councilor Silbert Mills said those killed included two women and six men.