A doctor and his two young children have passed away following a tragic plane crash in Texas.
According to initial reports given exclusively to People, the FAA, or the Federal Aviation Administration knows “that a twin-engine Cessna 310 crashed near Poolville around 1:15 p.m. local time on Sunday, January 14, with three people on board.”
#HAPPENNING NOW: Tragic news out of Wise and Parker Counties. A member of the Paradise ISD school board along with two of his children died today in a plane crash near Poolville. Dr. Heath Smith was the board's vice president. No word what caused the crash. The @NTSB is… pic.twitter.com/fqtQq4avYf
— Giles Hudson (@CBS11Giles) January 15, 2024
The plane was discovered in a pasture more than two hours after it took off around 10:58 a.m. from Dimmit County Airport. The plane was scheduled to arrive at the Bridgeport Municipal Airport “shortly after noon,” People reports.
The three passengers on board have been identified as surgeon, Dr. Heath Smith and two young children, 6 and 8 years old, who shared Smith’s last name. There were no survivors.
Smith was reported as piloting the plane. In a statement shared by the superintendent for the Paradise Independent School District, where Smith acted as vice president of the school board:
“Our hearts are devastated for the Smith family. Words cannot fully express the grief that we feel for their loss,” superintendent Will Brewer told KTVT. “The tragedy that this family has endured is unimaginable.”
“Dr. Smith was a vital part of our school district as an alumnus, parent, and board member. He was passionate about his love for Paradise ISD and his impact on students and staff will be long lasting. Please keep the Smith family in your prayers.”
This is a developing report.