New Details Emerging on Americans Killed and Injured in a Bahamas Boat Explosion



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Police are still working to determine what happened when a boat carrying 10 US tourists exploded Saturday in the Bahamas . One person, Maleka Jackson, was killed and Stefanie Schaffer, 22, lost both her legs. Jackson celebrated his 15th wedding anniversary.

A passenger told "CBS This Morning" that the group of 12 people, including two crew members, was minutes away half a day before the blast. He said there was no sign of a problem before the trip turned into a nightmare, reports Michelle Miller of CBS News.

Maleka Jackson's father, Malvin Grimes, stated that she was a loving mother to her 12-year-old son and that she believed in giving back to her community.

"Maleka would be what I call a shooting star," said Grimes. "She had a life that stayed right on the course and it was a life that brought a lot of joy and a lot of support and love in the lives of others."

Jackson's husband also suffered burns and was rushed to a Florida hospital on Monday. A passenger on board a nearby boat captured chaos on his cell phone while others helped pull people out of the burning ship.

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The explosion was captured by a passenger in a nearby boat

SCV / Christian Topperwien

Stefanie and Brooke Schaffer were on vacation with their mother and stepfather. The parents said that Stefanie, a passionate dancer and soccer player, sat at the back of the boat near the engine when the explosion occurred.

"Her legs, below her knees, had to be amputated," said Stefanie's uncle, Mike Schaffer.

He said that the 22-year-old had been placed in a medically induced coma. His mother Stacey also suffered a broken leg and at least two broken ribs. Schaffer said that he is still trying to deal with what happened.

"The family is now all … So many friends are reaching out … You see that on TV, but you never think that it will be any one you know, and that's It's my own blood, my own nieces and it's a miracle that Stef is still alive, "Mike said.

A GoFundMe page for the Schaffer family raised more than $ 90,000. CBS News contacted the company that operates the tour boat, but declined to comment.

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