Military jet crashes in western Virginia

DEERFIELD, Va. (AP) – A sheriff’s dispatcher says officials believe a military jet has crashed in western Virginia, but there is no word on the condition of those onboard.

Augusta County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher Becky Coynter says witnesses reported hearing a loud noise that sounded like an explosion just before 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Coynter says military officials in Washington told local authorities that communication with a military jet had been lost.

A news release from state police says officials located a crash site in Deerfield, with heavy smoke coming from the side of a mountain. The statement says state and local police are trying to reach the site.

State police say no injuries on the ground have been reported. Police didn’t offer other details.

Deerfield is about 135 miles northwest of Richmond.

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