Michael Ward (Birdie Africa): The lone child survivor of the 1985 MOVE bombing, dies at 41

Michael Ward, known as Birdie Africa when he survived the 1985 MOVE bombings in Philadelphia, has died Friday Sept. 20th abroad a cruise ship, officials say. He was 41.

Passing details of Michael Ward

Ward was found unconscious in a hot tub on the Carnival Dream.  His death appeared to be an accidental drowing, however toxicology reports will take about six weeks said Craig Engleson, who is an investigator from the Brevard County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Ward’s father said they were vacationing with relatives for various family celebrations. The cruise had made stops in Mexico, Belize, and the Dominican Republic.

MOVE Bombing

Here’s some history for those who do not know about the MOVE bombing. The MOVE bombing took place in 1985 in Philadelphia. After a day long confrontation with MOVE members, police dropped several explosives on the group’s fortified row houses in West Philadelphia.

The explosives sparked a blaze which the city allowed to burn. Michael Ward was the only child survivor, and Ramona Africa the only adult. His mother Rhonda Africa, was among those killed.

The picture of Michael Ward (Birdie Africa), a 13-year-old severely burned boy being removed to safety became an iconic picture and symbol of what happened during the MOVE bombings for nearly 30 years.

The horrific event left Ward with lifelong scars on the arms, abdomen, and face and the reputation that Philadelphia bombed its own people.

He had no contact with MOVE from then on.

Michael Ward was born on Dec. 19, 1971, to Rhonda Cheryl Harris and Andino Ward, who had been together since they were teens and had recently married in a Baptist ceremony in Nicetown. The couple, who shared a passion for civil rights, named him Olewolffe (Arabic for “prince”) Momer Puim Ward.

He became Birdie Africa two years later, after his parents had separated and his mother had joined MOVE, taken on a new surname, and moved into the compound at 6221 Osage.

Source : Philly.com