Resort and Gaming Tycoon Sol Kerzner was in the Dominican Republic on Thursday to collect the body of Howard “Butch” Kerzner, his 42-year-old son who died with three others a day earlier in a helicopter crash.
Butch Kerznerﾒs widow, Vanessa, and Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe also traveled to the Dominican Republic to meet Mr. Kerzner.
The body was expected to be sent to New York then on to South Africa, the birthplace of Butch Kerzner, who was a permanent resident of The Bahamas.
Mr. Kerzner was the CEO of Kerzner International and his death sent shockwaves across the country, especially at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, which is the companyﾒs flagship property.
Kerzner International said in a statement hours after the tragedy that the younger Kerzner had been surveying potential development sites for the company when the accident occurred.
On Thursday, a statement from the Kerzner family said the family planned to honour Butchﾒs wishes that no memorial service be held.
The family also said it has established The Butch Kerzner Memorial Fund which will be used to improve playgrounds and other sports facilities in public schools in The Bahamas.
The family also said it was grateful for the expressions of condolences that had come from all over.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported over the weekend that investigators said the 26-year-old pilot of the helicopter was experienced and showed no signs of intoxication.
The crash reportedly happened after the helicopter spun out of control. AP also quoted an investigator as saying the area of the crash had been hit that day by rain and wind.
A preliminary report said the helicopterﾒs tail rotor fell off while it was being flown.
The Bahama Journal
