UPDATE: A tragic plane crash in Coral Springs, Florida, has claimed the lives of Christian missionary father Alexander Wurm, 53, and his daughter Serena Wurm, 22. The small aircraft, a Beechcraft King Air, was en route to deliver humanitarian aid to Jamaica when it crashed shortly after taking off from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at approximately 10:14 a.m. on November 10, 2025.
The plane went down in a residential area, crashing into a pond and narrowly missing nearby homes. Emergency responders arrived on the scene within five minutes, but sadly, both Wurms were pronounced dead. No additional victims have been reported.
The Wurms were affiliated with the Christian ministry organization Ignite the Fire, which focuses on empowering youth through missions across the Caribbean. A statement from the organization described the Wurm family as devoted to humanitarian work and their faith. “Together, their final journey embodied selflessness and courage,” the statement read, “Rest in peace, Alexander and Serena — your light endures in all whose lives you changed.”
In a heartbreaking twist, social media posts from Alexander Wurm just days before the crash indicated his excitement about the newly acquired plane, which he described as “an older King Air with brand new engines,” perfect for transporting supplies to Jamaica. He had expressed his determination to expand his mission work, posting, “I felt that the Ignite ministry should have a missions airplane if it wanted to effectively bless the Caribbean!”
The crash comes in the wake of devastating destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that struck Jamaica on October 28, leading to widespread devastation. The Wurms were part of a broader relief effort mobilized by local Caribbean American communities to aid those affected by the hurricane.
As investigators continue to comb through evidence at the crash site, the National Transportation Safety Board is conducting a full investigation into the incident. Authorities have confirmed that the turboprop plane was built in 1976, and its registered owner, International Air Services, has yet to comment on the crash.
Residents of the Coral Springs neighborhood are shaken by the incident, which has drawn significant police presence as investigations proceed. The community, known for its vibrant Caribbean culture, is now faced with the loss of two passionate advocates for humanitarian work.
As we learn more about this developing story, the impact of the Wurms’ mission and their tragic loss reverberates through both their local community and those they aimed to help in Jamaica.
