The total amount distributed was not disclosed, but the victims said they are grateful for this latest payout of funds collected on their behalf by the local radio station More94FM and they intend to put the money to good use.
"I want to say thank you because I am really appreciative of what [More94 FM and Bahamians] have done for us," said Sophia Antonio, a spokesperson for the victims. Antonio who was also injured in the boating tragedy said that, "It feels so good to know that we have a caring nation and that our nation came together and put their hands in their pockets to help the Sea Hauler victims."
Last year, the government gave a total of $1 million to the Sea Hauler victims and to the estates of those who died after the incident.
Labour Minister Dion Foulkes disclosed that $385,000 of that money would go to the estates of the four deceased victims; $10,000 each to the 16 people who suffered minor or soft tissue injuries; $25,000 each to the five victims who sustained fractures; $40,000 to each of the seven victims who suffered compound fractures and $50,000 to the victim whose leg was amputated during the ordeal.
At the time, victims of the tragedy said they were not pleased with the amounts they received from the government. But Antonio told the Bahama Journal yesterday that these feelings expressed last year no longer exist.
"We complained a lot because we are victims and we were hurting, but we understand that these things take time. We appreciate what this government has done, because in the end they kept their promise and they delivered," Antonio said.
"The present government showed us that they cared. Before they came into power we were fighting this relentless battle and we didn’t get any help or acknowledgement before that."
Meanwhile Antonio said that, even though the funds from the government coupled with those from Bahamian citizens is of much help to the victims, they still have additional struggles to overcome.
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