ODESSA, Texas —
On Tuesday, the Texas Department of Public Safety reported an aircraft was flying southbound at a low altitude over Yukon and Alderfer when it struck a power line. The plane continued southbound, crashed into a private alley and struck several homes and sheds.
"The whole house shook, I had no idea what was happening," said Angel Vanderburg, as she remembered the plane crashing down in Odessa. "I could hear my daughter screaming for me, and I rushed out of bed and ran to her and I still didn't know what was happening. All I could see was flames out of the windows. You can hear things explosion from the garage."
Fortunately, Vanderburg and her daughter managed to make it out safely. However, they witnessed debris fly over their homes and their garage burn to the ground.
"I didn't believe it at first until the the first responders said it was a plane and I was in shock," Vanderburg said. "We live next to the airport so we do hear the airplanes going over and you just never imagine that is even possible."
Vanderburg said she was allowed back inside to get a few things. A person passing by gifted her family socks, and since then, the Odessa native has received an outpour of support from the community.
"I have had strangers, friends, family, coworkers from previous jobs, anybody that knew me reaching out, offering a place to stay, extra clothes," Vanderburg said. "My car being gone is kind of my main concern [...] I just started a new job the day before and my daughter just started high school so it's been a little tricky."
Vanderburg and her family have yet to learn when and if they can return home.