Military jet crashes near Yuma

A Harrier jet crashed on the Barry M. Goldwater Range southeast of Yuma on Thursday afternoon, according to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.

Both pilots of the jet, which was assigned to MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., ejected safely and were uninjured.

The pilots were transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center, where they were both listed in "good condition" as of 6 p.m. Thursday.

"The hospital reported they were both conscious and talking," said Gunnery Sgt. Bill Lisbon of the MCAS public affairs office.

The crash happened at 3:29 p.m., according to Lisbon. The jet was described as a TAV-8B Harrier II two-seater trainer jet.

"The pilots were here for normal training," Lisbon said.

He added that he did not know what type of training the Harrier was involved in prior to the crash.

Helicopters from the air station's search and rescue unit recovered the downed pilots.

A second accident happened when an air station fire and rescue vehicle en route to the crash site collided with a civilian sedan.

The accident happened at the intersection of Avenue 3E and County 15th Street at about 3:45 p.m. There was at least one other vehicle traveling with the fire and rescue vehicle, according to Lisbon.

"The vehicles were traveling south on 3E and had their sirens on. The civilian vehicle struck the side of the firetruck. It sustained some damage and blew a tire, but was able to continue a ways before having to stop."

Lisbon said the accident did not prevent the other vehicle from continuing on to the crash site.

The civilian driver of the sedan was transported to YRMC, where he was listed in critical condition as of 6 p.m. Thursday, according to a statement issued by the base.

No Marines related to the firetruck were injured in that accident.

The crash is under investigation and the cause currently remains unknown, according to Lisbon.