Lead
A business jet crashed onto a highway in Laredo, Texas, on Tuesday night, killing one person and injuring several others, according to local police. The aircraft, carrying six people, came down on the Loop 20 highway shortly after 10 p.m. local time, as reported by ABC Australia and The Hindu — World, both citing Jose Baeza, an investigator with the Laredo Police Department.Witnesses and first responders rushed to the scene to help free those trapped inside the burning aircraft, according to reports from ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, and BBC — World. Video footage shared online shows the plane on its side, crashed into a highway barrier, with flames rising from the wreckage.
Coverage Comparison
Reports from ABC Australia and The Hindu — World describe people leaving their vehicles to frantically try to smash the cockpit window to free those inside. Al Jazeera emphasized the dramatic rescue efforts, while BBC — World noted that nearly a dozen bystanders and first responders rushed to the scene, using what appeared to be a shovel and a sledgehammer to help passengers escape through an opened door.The Guardian — World reported that the plane had left San José del Cabo in Mexico and was bound for Austin, Texas, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). BBC — World also reported the flight's origin as Los Cabos, Mexico, and its destination as Austin, Texas, and noted that the aircraft reported major mechanical issues to Laredo airport, according to Gilberto Sanchez, the airport's director, as quoted by the New York Times.
BBC — World and The Hindu — World both noted that one vehicle was struck by the aircraft as it crashed onto the motorway, though it was unclear what part of the plane struck the vehicle, according to Baeza.
ABC Australia reported that five officers were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, while BBC — World stated that five first responders were ultimately treated for smoke inhalation, according to Baeza.
Key Claims
- A business jet carrying six people crashed on a highway in Laredo, Texas, killing one person, as reported by ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, BBC — World, and The Guardian — World.
- The plane had left San José del Cabo in Mexico and was bound for Austin, Texas, according to the FAA, as reported by The Guardian — World.
- NetJets, a private plane company owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, said in a statement that one of its aircraft was involved in the accident, as reported by The Guardian — World.
- The five other passengers were transported to local hospitals and were reported to be in stable condition, according to Baeza, as reported by ABC Australia and BBC — World.
- One vehicle was struck by the aircraft as it crashed onto the motorway, as reported by BBC — World.
- Bystanders and first responders rushed to the scene to help free trapped passengers, as reported by Al Jazeera, BBC — World, and ABC Australia.
- People used a shovel and a sledgehammer to help passengers escape, as reported by BBC — World.
- The plane was a Cessna Citation Latitude twin jet, according to information from FlightAware, an aviation tracking and data company, as reported by ABC Australia.
- The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the crash, as reported by The Guardian — World.
- Five first responders were treated for smoke inhalation, as reported by BBC — World.