Father, daughter die flying ministry aid for Jamaica storm

A father and daughter who led a Caribbean-based Christian ministry died in a crash while flying to Jamaica to deliver supplies to hurricane-stricken communities. Alexander Wurm, 53, and his daughter Serena, 22, passed away Monday morning, the organization Ignite the Fire announced on Facebook. Wurm founded the group, which has held evangelism events and provided humanitarian aid in the Cayman Islands and Caribbean region.

The two crashed shortly after their small turboprop aircraft took off from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., police said. The plane came down in a gated residential neighborhood of Coral Springs, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating what led to the crash, according to a post on X.

What legacy did Alexander and Serena leave behind? Ignite the Fire described Alexander as a man devoted to serving others, who was known for his warmth and unwavering kindness. He worked to bring faith, compassion, and support to those in need across the globe and the Caribbean region. Alexander leaves behind his wife and two other children.

Serena followed in her father’s footsteps and was a beacon of hope who inspired others with her humanitarian work, the ministry said. Together, Serena and her father’s final journey embodied their courage and selflessness.

Dig deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report on the damage Hurricane Melissa caused in the Caribbean.