BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. — Authorities in the Lowcountry reported on Thursday that a military aircraft had crashed.
According to the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, the crash happened just after 3 p.m. in an uninhabited area of the Lobeco community near Halfmoon Island and Coosaw Plantation.
According to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, which is roughly three miles south of where the crash occurred, the aircraft was an F/A-18D Hornet which is part of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
No fatalities were reported as a result of the crash and MCAS Beaufort reports that both marines onboard the jet safely ejected with no injuries. The aircraft is assigned to Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533.
As the investigation continues, the air station is urging the public to avoid the area and for local residents to remain inside because of smoke from both the aircraft and a brush fire.