GALVESTON, Texas – A Galveston boat captain is about to receive a rare and special honor after his heroic actions during a recent plane crash.
Sky Decker has been invited to meet Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum in recognition of his bravery when he jumped into the water to save a woman trapped in the wreckage.
The crash involved a Mexican Navy plane on a medical mission transporting a 2-year-old burn patient to Shriners Hospital for treatment.
Decker recalled the moment he decided to jump in the water.
“As soon as they said there was someone in there, I jumped,” he said. “Then I heard her cry out, ‘Ayúdame.’”
That desperate plea came from Julia Aracelis Cruz Vera, the mother of the young burn patient. She survived by breathing through an air pocket until rescued.
Another woman was also saved, but six others, including Vera’s child, did not survive.
Decker said the experience will stay with him forever.
“I like to think something good could come out of this,” he said. “I hope it leads to lasting friendships between our countries.”
Those friendships began shortly after the crash when Decker met the survivors and their families in the hospital.
“We met her family in the hospital. They’re from Campeche. Eventually, I hope to visit them if they’d like,” Decker said.
Before that, he will travel to Mexico City to meet with President Sheinbaum. The Mexican Consulate surprised him with the invitation.
“She said she had just spoken with Sheinbaum, who saw the video and wanted to invite me to meet her,” Decker said. “I said, ‘Absolutamente.’”
Decker is still figuring out what he’ll say when he meets the president, but plans for the trip are still being finalized.