With a sledgehammer and a shovel, volunteers raced to save passengers in Texas plane crash – ABC4 Utah

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

Summary

Car Crash Laredo Texas in Laredo, Texas: A Cessna Citation Latitude twin jet crashed in Laredo, Texas, after its pilots reported mechanical problems and requested an emergency landing. The aircraft broke apart on a highway, with its fuselage resting on its side and the tail section falling off the roadway. Voluntary motorists, including tow truck operator Ivan Franco, arrived at the scene and used tools such as a sledgehammer to break windows and help passengers escape before the plane caught fire. One passenger, 50‑year‑old Joshua Baer, was killed in the crash.

Publicly reported parties

Name Role Status
Joshua Baer Driver Fatal

Original reporting

With a sledgehammer and a shovel, volunteers raced to save passengers in Texas plane crash – ABC4 Utah

Related accident news