5 killed in crash of Mexican navy medical plane near Galveston, Texas
A Mexican Navy medical aircraft carrying a pediatric patient crashed into the water near Galveston, Texas, killing five people, according to Mexican authorities. Two others were rescued, and one person remains unaccounted for.
The crash occurred Monday afternoon as the aircraft was approaching Scholes International Airport in Galveston. Authorities said the plane went down in West Galveston Bay, west of the causeway, while on final approach amid heavy fog.
In a statement released Monday night, Mexico’s Navy said the aircraft was carrying eight people. Two were rescued alive, five were confirmed dead, and one person remains missing as search-and-rescue operations continue.
Mexico’s Navy said the aircraft was operating under the ‘Plan Marina’ humanitarian program and was conducting a specialized medical evacuation mission in coordination with the Michou y Mau Foundation. Four Mexican Navy personnel and four civilians were on board.
The aircraft was identified as a Mexican Navy Beech King Air 350i with the call sign ANX1209, according to FlightRadar24. The plane had departed from Merida in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Galveston city officials previously said the flight was transporting a pediatric patient in need of specialized burn care and was likely bound for Shriners Children’s hospital.
The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office said its deputies, along with dive, crime scene, drone, and patrol units, responded to the crash site. Officials have not released additional details about how the aircraft went down or the identities of the victims.
Earlier this year, a separate Mexican flight carrying a pediatric patient crashed in Philadelphia, killing all seven people on board and one person on the ground. That aircraft was also operating as a medical transport flight.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
