Two of the US Navy’s F/A-18 fighter jets have crashed off the coast of North Carolina on Thursday, the US Coast Guard confirmed. Their crews have been recovered and taken to a hospital.
Four people have been recovered and taken to the Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia, the Virginian-Pilot reported citing Coast Guard Petty Officer Fagal Nifin.
Nifin said the extent of the crew members’ injuries is "unknown." One of the crew had a leg injury, reported WCTI.
The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a fighter/attack aircraft in service with the US Navy and the Marine Corps. Given that four crew members were recovered from the ocean, the planes involved look to be the two-seater F/A-18B models.
Search and rescue teams were deployed to the Oregon Inlet area, 25 miles off the North Carolina shore, after reports of two planes colliding around 10:30 ET, according to Norfolk’s WBEC.
Coast Guard officials in Elizabeth City told WCTI that the planes involved were from the Naval Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia. A fishing vessel reportedly assisted with the rescue. (RT)
