A private jet crashed and caught fire on a busy highway in Texas, resulting in one fatality as bystanders rushed to assist. The incident occurred around 10 pm local time on Tuesday in Laredo, where the aircraft, carrying six passengers, went down on Loop 20 highway.
Witnesses captured images of the small plane overturned and engulfed in flames, with a plume of smoke billowing from the scene after colliding with a barrier on the roadway. The tail section of the plane was separated from the main body due to the impact.
It remains unclear whether the deceased individual was onboard the plane or on the ground. No injuries were reported among bystanders, although five officers were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
The aircraft, a Cessna Citation Latitude twin jet, took off from Los Cabos International Airport in Mexico at 6:19 pm local time, according to FlightAware data. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
Eyewitness Zayra Garza, who was driving her colleagues at the time, described seeing a passenger attempting to break the cockpit window for escape. Other drivers joined in the rescue effort, with some trying to break the window from outside.
Garza’s husband also sprang into action, assisting as the plane’s door was opened. Several individuals, including teenagers and a presumed pilot, emerged from the aircraft, while crew members worked to extricate an unconscious passenger.
Reflecting on the chaotic scene, Garza expressed shock and concern over the risk of explosion from the fire. NetJets, the company managing the aircraft involved in the crash, confirmed the incident and is cooperating with authorities.
Owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, NetJets enables individuals to have fractional ownership of private jets, offering a personalized flight experience.