TEXAS CITY, Texas — A Texas City funeral director helped coordinate the return of victims who died in a medical support plane crash in Galveston Bay, leading a procession on Jan. 2 to honor five of the six passengers killed in the incident.
The Rev. Mario Gutierrez, a minister and director at Carnes Funeral Home in Texas City, assisted in handling funeral arrangements and documentation for the victims of the Dec. 22 crash involving a small Mexican Navy aircraft. The plane was carrying eight people on a medical mission for Fundación Michou y Mau, a nonprofit that transports pediatric burn patients in Mexico to Shriners Children’s Texas hospital in Galveston.
The aircraft crashed into Galveston Bay during foggy conditions. Two passengers survived, while six people, including a child patient, died, according to authorities.
Gutierrez said he became involved after learning of the crash while traveling with his family. He and other officials worked to complete permits, death certificates and consular coordination required to return the victims to Mexico.
On Jan. 2, Gutierrez led a prayer before a law enforcement-escorted procession transported five caskets from Texas City to Galveston Scholes Field Airport for repatriation.
Gutierrez said the effort involved coordination among Carnes Funeral Home staff, law enforcement agencies, the Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office and consular officials to meet cultural and logistical requirements.
The remains of the child who died in the crash remain in Galveston with his parents. The child’s mother survived the crash and continues to recover from her injuries. Gutierrez said arrangements are underway to return the family to Mexico.
