GALVESTON — What began as a medical transport mission ended in a dramatic water rescue Monday afternoon after a plane carrying patients went down in Galveston Bay near the Galveston Causeway.

Authorities say the aircraft was attempting to land at Scholes International Airport when it crashed just west of the Causeway around 3:15 p.m. The U.S. Coast Guard reported that six people were in the water following the crash. Five out of the eight have now been confirmed deceased.

According to the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, the plane was transporting at least one pediatric burn patient to Galveston for treatment. Video from the scene shows at least one child being pulled from the water and placed into an ambulance as emergency crews rushed to assist survivors.

The Secretary of the Navy for Mexico acknowledged the incident in a social media post, stating that one of its aircraft “experienced an incident” while on approach to Galveston. The post referenced a foundation that supports children with burn injuries.

Multiple agencies responded to the crash, including the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office dive team. Officials said the Texas Department of Public Safety is leading the investigation into what caused the aircraft to go down.

The crash occurred under foggy conditions across the Galveston area Monday afternoon. While authorities have not said whether weather contributed to the incident, visibility issues may have complicated search and rescue efforts.

On Monday evening, the Secretariat of the Navy identified the eight individuals on board the aircraft. Of those, five have been confirmed dead, one is presumed dead, and two survived the incident.

Mexican Navy personnel who died:

• Lieutenant A.N. P.A. Víctor Rafael Pérez Hernández
• Lieutenant S.S.N. Juan Iván Zaragoza Flores
• Marinero A.N. E. Av. Guadalupe Flores Barranco

Missing (presumed deceased):

• Lieutenant A.N. P.A. Luis Enrique Castillo Terrones
  (His body has not yet been recovered, but given the circumstances, he is presumed deceased.)

Civilian passengers who died:

• Federico Efraín Ramírez Cruz (Patient)
• Juan Alfonso Adame González (Doctor)

Survivors:

• Julia Aracelis Cruz Vera (Companion)
• Miriam de Jesús Rosas Mancilla (Nurse)

The King Air ANX 1209, operated by the Mexican Navy, was on a medical support mission under “Plan Marina” in partnership with the Michou and Mau Foundation.

“The aircraft was on a humanitarian mission providing specialized medical transport. There were eight people aboard: four members of the naval crew and four civilians,” the Mexican Navy stated.

_{Photo Credit: KGTX 7/Jonathan Chumley}

Article was last updated 12/22, 11:14 pm