A business jet carrying six people crashed onto a highway in Laredo, Texas, late Tuesday night, bursting into flames and triggering a dramatic rescue effort by motorists and emergency responders. Authorities said one person was killed in the crash, though it was not immediately clear whether the victim was on board the aircraft or on the ground.
The aircraft, identified as a Cessna Citation Latitude twin-engine jet, went down on Loop 20 near the Texas-Mexico border shortly after 10 p.m., according to Jose Baeza, an investigator with the Laredo Police Department. The jet had departed from Los Cabos International Airport in Mexico earlier in the evening and crashed just miles from Laredo International Airport.
Videos shared on social media showed the aircraft skidding down the highway, striking a light pole before coming to rest on its side. The impact nearly tore the plane in half, with its tail section separating from the fuselage. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as drivers abandoned their vehicles and rushed to help those trapped inside.
Some bystanders used a sledgehammer and shovel to try to break the cockpit window and force open the aircraft's door. Zayra Garza, who witnessed the crash while driving home with coworkers, said she saw people inside attempting to escape as flames engulfed parts of the aircraft.
According to Garza, several passengers managed to exit the jet after the door was opened, while rescuers worked frantically to free another person who appeared unconscious. Firefighters later entered the smoke-filled aircraft using a ladder as crews battled the blaze.
No injuries on the ground were immediately reported, although five police officers were hospitalized for smoke inhalation sustained during the rescue effort. Laredo International Airport Director Gilberto Sanchez told local broadcaster KGNS that the aircraft may have experienced a mechanical failure before crashing, though investigators have not yet determined the cause.
The crash involved an aircraft operated by NetJets, the private aviation company owned by Berkshire Hathaway. The company said it is cooperating with authorities as the investigation continues.
The Laredo accident came amid a string of deadly aviation incidents in the United States. Earlier this week, 12 people were killed when a skydiving aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri.
Among the victims was 24-year-old Indian technology professional Sai Karthik Varma Datla, who was based in the Kansas City area and worked in the healthcare technology sector. Authorities said the aircraft lost control and crashed into a field, killing all 12 people on board. Federal investigators are continuing to examine the cause of that crash.
Gloom Descends on Kurnool Village After Youth Dies in US Plane Crash
KURNOOL: A pall of gloom descended on Rajanagar village in Kouthalam mandal of Adoni constituency after a 24-year-old youth from the district died in a tragic plane crash in the United States.
The deceased, Datla Sai Karthik Varma, had gone to the US three years ago to pursue his master's degree. According to family members, he was residing in Kansas and had recently taken up a temporary job after completing his studies, as he was yet to secure full-time employment.
Reports from US authorities stated that Karthik Varma died in a training aircraft crash during a skydiving session. The incident occurred on Sunday morning when the aircraft, carrying trainees, crashed just minutes after takeoff. It is suspected that all 12 persons on board were killed in the accident. Sources said a few Telugu students from another group who witnessed the mishap alerted authorities. The exact cause of the crash is yet to be ascertained.
Karthik Varma had completed his BTech in Computer Science Engineering from Bhimavaram before leaving for the US in 2023 for higher studies. In the absence of job opportunities after completing his MS, he reportedly joined a skydiving training institute, hoping to improve his prospects.
The tragic news left his parents and relatives in deep shock. His father, Subramanyam Raju, and other family members are inconsolable.
Though originally hailing from Duvva in West Godavari district, the family had settled in Rajanagar in Kurnool district a few years ago.