At least five people have died after a Mexican Navy aircraft crashed into waters off the Texas coast near Galveston on Monday afternoon. The plane was carrying a child medical patient when it went down near the base of a causeway, around 50 miles southeast of Houston, authorities confirmed.
Medical Mission Ends in Tragedy
Mexico’s Navy said the aircraft was conducting a humanitarian medical mission, transporting passengers from Monterrey, Mexico, to Scholes International Airport in Galveston.
On board were four Navy officers and four civilians, including a child. Two people were rescued from the water alive and taken for medical treatment, while the remaining passengers were pronounced dead.
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined and remains under investigation.
Rescuers Describe Harrowing Scene as Investigation Underway
The aircraft, identified as a King Air ANX 1209, disappeared from radar at approximately 3:02 pm, with the first emergency call reported five minutes later. Thick fog was present in the area at the time, with visibility reduced to about half a mile, according to the National Weather Service.
Sky Decker, a professional yacht captain who lives nearby, rushed to the scene after hearing about the crash. Directed by police officers through dense fog, he reached the submerged aircraft and entered the water to help.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Decker said, describing a woman trapped beneath debris with only inches of air to breathe amid jet fuel fumes. He managed to rescue her, but also recovered the body of a deceased man dressed in civilian clothing.
Emergency teams from the US Coast Guard, Galveston County Sheriff’s Office and local police coordinated rescue and recovery efforts as the public was urged to avoid the area.
Two passengers were members of the Michou and Mau Foundation, a nonprofit that supports children with severe burns. The group said the child on board was believed to be heading to Shriners Children’s Hospital in Galveston for specialised treatment.
Mexico’s Navy and Marines expressed condolences and confirmed full cooperation with US authorities. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a formal investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
Galveston, a popular tourist island, remained under heightened emergency presence as investigators gathered evidence from the bay.
Share your thoughts on air safety and emergency response preparedness in the comments below.
