This is the worst kind of news to have to report. It’s always devestating to lose someone, and the production of the Matrix Reloaded is once again affected by a big loss. That of Aaliyah. She was one of eight killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas. Her role was a character named “Zee” whose role was small in Matrix Reloaded and expanded in Matrix 3.
Here is what foxnews.com says: Aaliyah, the 22-year-old Grammy-nominated R&B singer and actress, was killed along with seven others Saturday when the small plane they were in crashed shortly after takeoff in the Bahamas, according to police spokesman Marvin Dames.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known. The identities of the others killed was also not immediately released, but six were male and two were female, according to Abaco Island Chief Councilor Silbert Mills.
One critically injured man was flown to Florida. The Cessna 402’s original destination was Opa-locka, Florida, officials said.
The plane was owned by Florida-based Skystream, according to Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen. Bergen said the plane crashed at the end of the airport’s runway at 6:50 p.m. EDT.
“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 Bahamas Minister of Tourism Tommy Turnquest.
Islander Derek Russell, who worked for the group during the video shoot, said he got the artist’s autograph before the accident.
“She’s a nice girl, a friendly girl,” he said.
Our prayers go out to her family and the families of all others involved in the plane crash.
See story at CNN.com also.
And here is a story with details and a picture of the downed plane: CNN.com