A Mexican Navy aircraft on a critical medical mission crashed into the waters off the Texas coast on Monday, resulting in the deaths of at least five people. Two survivors were pulled from the wreckage in a dramatic rescue operation.
Details of the Tragic Flight
The King Air ANX 1209 aircraft was en route from Monterrey, Mexico, to Scholes International Airport in Galveston, Texas. Its mission was to transport a child patient to the specialist Shriners Children's Hospital in Galveston for severe burns treatment. On board were eight individuals: four Mexican Navy officers and four civilians, which included the child and representatives from the Michou and Mau Foundation, a non-profit aiding burned children.
The crash occurred in the afternoon near the base of a causeway close to Galveston, approximately 50 miles southeast of Houston. Preliminary data indicates the plane vanished from radar over the bay around 3:02pm local time, with the first emergency call logged just five minutes later.
Heroic Rescue Amidst Thick Fog
Rescue efforts were immediately hampered by heavy fog, which had reduced visibility to half a mile. Sky Decker, a professional yacht captain who lives nearby, heard the news and rushed to the scene in his boat. He transported two police officers through the dense fog to locate the partially submerged wreckage.
Decker described jumping into the water, which was contaminated with jet fuel, to find a severely injured woman trapped under debris. "She had maybe three inches of air gap to breathe in," he recounted. "She was really fighting for her life." He managed to free her, and also recovered a deceased man seated nearby, both dressed in civilian clothing.
Investigation and Response
Teams from the US Coast Guard, Galveston County Sheriff's Office, and other emergency services responded. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have also arrived to investigate the cause of the crash.
In a statement, Mexico's Navy confirmed the aircraft had an "accident" during the medical mission and promised a full investigation, while offering its deepest condolences to the families of the victims. The Michou and Mau Foundation expressed solidarity and grief, reaffirming its commitment to caring for children with burns.
The public has been asked to avoid the area to allow emergency responders and investigators to work. The cause of the crash remains under formal investigation, with weather conditions being examined as a potential factor.
