Caribbean Plane Crash Kills 9, Including Bahamian Minister With Tulsa Ties

One of the men aboard was Myles Munroe, a prominent Bahamian minister who held degrees from both Oral Roberts University and the University of Tulsa and served on the ORU Board of Regents.

Sunday, November 9th 2014, 11:45 pm

By: News On 6

Caribbean Plane Crash Kills 9, Including Bahamian Minister With Tulsa Ties

A small plane crashed Sunday on approach to the island of Grand Bahama, killing all nine people on board, the government of the Bahamas said.

One of the men aboard was Myles Munroe, a prominent Bahamian minister who held degrees from both Oral Roberts University and the University of Tulsa and served on the ORU Board of Regents.

The Lear 36 Executive Jet had taken off from the Bahamian capital of Nassau and crashed while attempting to land around 5 p.m. local time in Freeport, according to a statement from the Ministry of Transport and Aviation.

"The Department of Civil Aviation has been advised unofficially that the aircraft was destroyed and that there were no survivors," the ministry said.

The cause of the crash has not yet been determined though there had been heavy rain across the region. Police and fire authorities were on scene and a full investigation would begin at daylight on Monday.

The crash occurred as people were gathering in Grand Bahama for the 2014 Global Leadership Forum. The Bahamas Tribune newspaper reported that along with Munroe, who organized the event, was killed along with several people in his entourage. Names of the other victims were not immediately available.

Chief Supt. Clarence Reckley said he could not confirm the report and that authorities were still trying to determine the identities of the victims.

Grand Bahama is about 70 miles (113 kilometers) east of Florida.

ORU President William M. Wilson released the following statement Sunday night:

"We are saddened tonight to hear of the passing of our friend Myles Munroe. Dr. Munroe was an outstanding alumnus of Oral Roberts University. His work in extending Christ's Kingdom in our generation was exemplary and world changing. He was a servant to the university as both a member of the Board of Regents and, most recently, on the Board of Reference. Over the years, Myles was a much beloved chapel speaker and contributor to our university community. Rev. Munroe also served as co-chair of the Empowered21 Caribbean cabinet and a member of the Empowered21 Global Council. His energy and enthusiasm for imparting Spirit Empowered Christianity to new generations was contagious. On a personal note, I was able to be with Myles numerous times over the years. Whether in a leadership gathering with those in highest authority or in Bahamas as a caring shepherd in a community of believers, Myles was always the same -- upbeat, positive, loving, full of faith and searching for anyway possible to make Jesus known in our generation. His loss will be felt around the world as well as in our hearts here at ORU. Our prayers are now extended to his family and the congregation of Bahamas Faith Ministries International."