Lone plane crash survivor returns to Yoakum

Sixteen months ago, the Yoakum community experienced a rare event: A small plane carrying five men from Tennessee crash landed in a field outside of town near FM 318.

Four men died, sadly, but the lone survivor was able to crawl from the wreckage and call for help.

Yoakum Fire and Rescue was one many agencies to respond that day, and the survivor, Kennon Vaughn, was taken to a Victoria hospital before he was eventually rushed to a larger trauma center in San Antonio.

There, Vaughn underwent several surgeries and other procedures to save his life, and, thanks to the power of prayer and the grace of God, Kennon Vaughn is alive and well today.

Earlier this month, Vaughn, his wife and their five sons paid a visit to that fateful crash site, where just a few months ago, so many of his closest friends perished that day.

He also stopped by Yoakum Fire Department, without whom he no doubt could have become the day’s fifth casualty

There he sought out Assistant Fire Chief Nick Kresta, someone he remembered aiding in his care.

It was an emotional reunion for them both.

The Facebook poster with the Yoakum Fire Department, from which we produced this small report, went on to say that while the department was still deeply saddened by the loss of the four men who died that day, they greatly rejoiced at the one man who did not.

“It’s good to see Mr. Vaughn thriving,” they added.