See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy LAURA PARNABY, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 17:29 BST, 18 June 2026 | Updated: 18:17 BST, 18 June 2026
The teenage son of a tech mogul who died in a fiery plane crash over a Texas highway survived the tragedy, his relatives have confirmed. Austin-based entrepreneur Joshua Baer, 50, was killed when the private jet flying from Mexico plummeted to the ground over Laredo at about 10pm on Tuesday. Baer leaves behind his wife, Amy, and three children. His family confirmed to NBC affiliate KXAN that his son Noah was also on board the plane and is 'OK'. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told the Daily Mail they were traveling in a Cessna 680A business jet, a small plane which can carry up to nine passengers. Laredo Police said six people were on board in total, including Baer, two pilots, and three juveniles. All five survivors have been discharged from hospital. Footage from Tuesday night shows a fire tearing through the plane, which lay in two parts across the Texas State Highway Loop 20 in the aftermath of the crash. People rushed from their cars to try to help, with several using makeshift levers and a sledgehammer to pry open the plane door and smash through the cockpit glass. FAA officials are investigating what caused the plane to crash, hours after it departed from Los Cabos International Airport in Mexico at 6.19pm en route to Austin. Baer was a father of three, and he had set up the Baer Family Foundation with his wife Amy to help disadvantaged children. His son survived the fiery crash Witnesses to the fiery plane crash leapt into action and rescued several victims from the aircraft, with two bystanders using a sledgehammer and shovel to pry open the aircraft door Zayra Garza, a local esthetician who filmed the carnage, said her husband leapt from her car to help rescue those inside the plane. She said three teenagers were rushed out of the aircraft, followed by someone who appeared to be a pilot. Another person who appeared to be unconscious was also pulled from the wreckage. 'It looked like part of a movie. I was in shock,' Garza said.'What was worrying me was the fire,' she said. 'I was concerned that it could have just exploded at any time.'Baer's family has not publicly commented on the crash. He was the CEO of Capital Factory, an Austin-based co-working space, and he was often described as the 'Godfather' of the city's startup scene. Capital Factory president Bryan Chambers issued a touching tribute to Baer on Wednesday morning following the crash, describing the tech executive as a 'fearless leader' in the business world.'(He was) a brilliant partner and a dear friend to so many of us,' Chambers said. 'While we are devastated by this unimaginable loss, Josh built an incredibly resilient organization and a deeply capable team.'Joshua Baer, the CEO of Capital Factory, was killed in the horror private jet crash over TexasTexas Senator John Cornyn said he was 'deeply saddened' by Baer's death, describing him as a 'friend' who 'was an innovative & creative leader in Austin’s entrepreneurial culture' Baer seen with then-President Barack Obama At least five first responders were hospitalized with smoke inhalation, and a person in a car that was clipped by the plane was also raced to hospital, officials said Business and political leaders including Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn paid tribute to Baer, with many remembering him as a revolutionary businessman who transformed Austin into a leading startup hub. Cornyn said in a post to X that he was 'deeply saddened' by Baer's death, describing him as a 'friend'.'Josh was an innovative & creative leader in Austin’s entrepreneurial culture and a stalwart supporter of growing Central Texas’ military ecosystem,' Cornyn wrote. 'I and countless others will greatly miss him.' Cruz described Baer as 'one of the most significant figures driving innovation and entrepreneurship across America... In Texas, he made our state a global leader. His impact was incalculable.'The late father also launched the Baer Family Foundation with his wife Amy to help disadvantaged children.
