Emerging
Published Jun 18, 2026Updated Jun 181
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Good Samaritans Rescue Survivors from Fiery Plane Crash in Laredo, Texas
A business jet crashed on a Laredo, Texas highway late Tuesday night, and heroic motorists with sledgehammers and fire extinguishers helped rescue three teenage passengers and two pilots from the burning wreckage. Joshua Baer, a prominent Texas technology entrepreneur, was killed in the crash, while a truck driver struck by the plane also survived.
Quick Facts
- Business jet crashed on Texas highway after pilots reported mechanical problems
- Motorists rescued survivors using sledgehammers and fire extinguishers
- Cockpit window was struck multiple times but remained structurally sound
- Aircraft broke in half with fuselage resting on its side
- Three teenage passengers, two pilots, and one truck driver escaped
A business jet crashed on a Texas highway late Tuesday night, and quick-thinking motorists armed with basic tools rushed to rescue passengers from the burning wreckage. The Cessna Citation Latitude twin jet, operated by NetJets (owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway), was traveling from San José del Cabo, Mexico to Austin, Texas when pilots reported mechanical problems and requested an emergency landing. The aircraft instead veered onto a concrete barrier, broke in half, and came to rest on its side across a highway in Laredo.
Ivan Franco, a 23-year-old tow truck driver, was among the first responders. Spotting the burning fuselage in the darkness, Franco grabbed a sledgehammer and three fire extinguishers from his company's rescue kit and handed them to police officers. As smoke filled the cabin and flames rose from the wreckage, Franco and other motorists worked frantically to break the cockpit windows. Zayra Garza, an esthetician driving nearby, recorded video of rescuers striking the aircraft's windows with a shovel and various tools as they heard cries of "Help! Help! Help!" from inside.
The coordinated efforts of civilians, police, and firefighters proved critical to survival. The cockpit door eventually opened from inside, and three teenage passengers escaped first, followed by both pilots and a truck driver who had been struck by the falling debris. One fatality was confirmed: Joshua Baer, a prominent figure in Texas's technology and startup sectors. Laredo Police Chief Mike Rodriguez commended the responders during a Wednesday news conference, noting that "the officers and the good Samaritans that went to the scene, our firefighters that responded" undoubtedly saved lives. He directed his staff to track down and formally recognize all civilians who helped.
Investigators examined the wreckage on Wednesday to determine the cause of the crash. The incident marked the third significant aviation accident in three days in the United States, following a B-52 bomber crash at Edwards Air Force Base in California on Monday that killed eight people, and a skydiving plane crash in Missouri on Sunday that killed twelve.
Why This Matters
This crash shows how quickly ordinary motorists can become first responders when emergency services are still arriving. For travelers, operators, and local authorities, it underscores the importance of emergency tools, coordinated rescue protocols, and rapid incident reporting on highways and near airports.