A passenger plane crashed on Loop 20 in Laredo, Texas, on Tuesday night, killing one of the six people aboard and shutting the highway in both directions. The aircraft came to rest tipped on its side and nearly sheared in half, leaving a trail of wreckage across the road and drawing firefighters, police and federal agents to the scene.
Bystanders and first responders rushed toward the burning plane and worked to free passengers, using a shovel and a sledgehammer to break the cockpit glass and pry open the door. Several passengers escaped that way, while firefighters doused the wreckage as it lay over a highway divider. A dashcam video showed the plane skidding down the highway and knocking over several street lights before it stopped.
The crash left five first responders treated for smoke inhalation and struck at least one southbound vehicle. Zayra Garza said the scene looked like something out of a movie, adding that she was worried about the fire and feared the plane could explode at any time.
Jose Baeza said, “Regrettably and tragically,” as officials began sorting out what happened. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was on site after the crash, and Loop 20 remained closed in both directions while crews worked and investigators gathered information.
The cause of the crash was not known. The identity of the person who died had not been released because next of kin had not been officially notified, leaving the most basic question about the wreck unanswered even as the cleanup and investigation moved ahead.
