Plane responding to wildfires in Southeast Texas crashes into lake

Pilot was rescued and treated at the scene

Plane crashes into Lake Livingston (KPRC)

POLK COUNTY – A pilot was injured after they crashed their plane into Lake Livingston in Southeast Texas on Tuesday afternoon.

The Texas A&M Forest Service said the pilot was in a Fire Boss Single Engine Air Tanker/Scooper and was responding to wildfires in Polk County, which is northeast of Houston.

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The pilot crashed at around 5 p.m. and was quickly rescued. The pilot was treated for their injuries at the scene.

The Trinity River Authority (TRA) closed a portion of the lake due to the incident, according to KPRC, KSAT’s sister station in Houston. The TRA issued the following statement to the station:

“Due to the aircraft incident that occurred on Lake Livingston today, 8/9/22, the Trinity River Authority is enacting its Ordinance 020AAAA and prohibiting access to the immediate area on Lake Livingston surrounding the US HWY 190 W causeway, as well as several boat ramps, for a period of 24 hours. Closed boat ramps will have traffic cones restricting access. Do not remove cones to gain access.

This action is for public protection as well as preservation of the accident area for investigation.

TRA is taking this action at the direction of County and State Emergency Management officials.”

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About the Author:

Rebecca Salinas is an award-winning digital journalist who joined KSAT in 2019. She reports on a variety of topics for KSAT 12 News.