PRESIDIO, TX – An alleged smuggling attempt resulted in a plane crash Thursday afternoon.
Presidio County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an airplane crash North of the Presidio International Airport at 3:50 p.m..
Deputies arrived on scene and assisted the injured passengers where they discovered that the crash was a smuggling attempt gone wrong. Deputies say the pilot attempted to smuggle several illegal immigrants from Presidio by air.
Investigators believe the excess weight of the passengers — 6 passengers in a 4 seat aircraft — and low fuel contributed to the cause of the accident.
Presidio Police Officers, U.S. Border patrol, Presidio EMS, TXDOT and Presidio Fire Department arrived on scene to assist the search and rescue efforts. Some of the individuals were transported to hospitals in El Paso and others were detained by U.S. Border Patrol.
The pilot fled the area and is wanted for questioning.
If you have any information on this contact the Presidio County Sheriff’s Office 432-729-4848.
