With a sledgehammer and a shovel, volunteers raced to save passengers in Texas plane crash

Published
June 18, 2026
Outcome
Fatal
Location
Laredo, Texas
Texas highway
View on map
Incident type
Aircraft, Crash, Fire

Summary

Car Crash Laredo Texas in Laredo, Texas: A Cessna Citation Latitude twin jet operated by NetJets crashed on a Texas highway in Laredo late Tuesday night after pilots reported mechanical problems and requested an emergency landing. The plane broke in half, its fuselage resting on its side, with fire rising above it. One person was killed: Joshua Baer, a leader in Texas' technology and startup sectors. Three teenage passengers and two pilots survived, as did a person in a truck struck by the plane as it crashed. Good Samaritans and police officers used sledgehammers and fire extinguishers to help passengers escape the burning cabin.

Publicly reported parties

Name Role Status
Joshua Baer Passenger Fatal
NetJets At-fault party

Original reporting

With a sledgehammer and a shovel, volunteers raced to save passengers in Texas plane crash | Associated Press | bozemandailychronicle.com

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