A local school board trustee and two of his children were killed in a plane crash on Sunday in Parker County, and the investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
The Parker County Sheriff’s Office, local fire departments, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and LifeCare Ambulance responded to reports of a plane crash near Poolville on January 14 just after 1 p.m. The plane, a twin-engine Cessna C310, reportedly departed from an airport in Wise County, according to the sheriff’s office.
However, a preliminary report of the incident by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicated that the plane departed from Carrizo Springs, in far South Texas, and was en route to the Bridgeport Municipal Airport in Wise County when it crashed about 10 miles away from its intended destination, according to WFAA.
Emergency responders found all three occupants of the plane dead at the scene. One of the crash victims was identified as Dr. Heath Smith, vice president of the Paradise ISD Board of Trustees. The two remaining victims were identified as his children, but their names have not been released, per CBS News Texas.
Dr. Smith was a bariatric surgeon with offices in Decatur and Fort Worth.
“Our hearts are devastated for the Smith family,” said Will Brewer, superintendent of Paradise ISD, according to CBS. “Words cannot fully express the grief that we feel for their loss. 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.”
Brewer later wrote a Facebook post on behalf of the school district, offering counseling services to students and faculty in need.
“Your student may be affected by this tragedy, even if he or she did not know those lost in the tragedy. We encourage you to talk to your students about what has happened,” Brewer wrote in the post. “Discussing thoughts and feelings about the situation is important in helping your student work through his or her grief.”
The NTSB is continuing the investigation.
