VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - 3:51 p.m. Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms said he is "so proud of how quickly and effectively Virginia Beach's police, fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene of this horrific crash." He is asking for people to stay away from the crash area so emergency crews can work the scene. He is in contact with Gov. Bob McDonnell, Congressman Scott Rigell and the leadership at Naval Air Station Oceana to stay on top of the situation.
3:41 p.m. Injury update from hospital officials at Sentara: The two pilots involved in the crash are in stable condition. Four others on the ground were injured, including a police officer who was treated and released for smoke inhalation. The three other people who were injured are being treated for minor injuries.
3:14 p.m. Adm. John C. Harvey, Jr., commander with the U.S. Fleet Forces issued a statement that all the resources of the Navy in Hampton Roads are being made available to the City of Virginia Beach "as we all deal with the impacts and recovery from this terrible mishap."
Holiday Inn Oceanside is offering extended stay rates for victims of the crash. Contact them at 757-491-1500.
3:00 p.m . Interstate 264 has reopened in both directions at Rosemont Road and First Colonial Road. Traffic will be moving slowly. Residents needing help from the American Red Cross can call 757-536-9859.
2:49 p.m . Virginia Beach Fire Battalion Chief Tim Riley says no injuries have been reported from the ground at this time. Oceana fire crews on scene have worked with Virginia Beach fire officials on drills before this incident during training situations. Right now, Riley says the main concern is with carbon fibers from the smoke, and the top priority at this time is containing the smoke. Fire officials are in contact with the apartment complex management to ensure that no one was in the buildings at the time of the accident. There are no reports of missing family members.
2:30 p.m. Officials with the Navy and Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital will be briefing the public on the jet crash at 3 p.m. EST.
2:05 p.m. - Interstate 264 eastbound is closed at Rosemont Road in Virginia Beach, one westbound lane has been opened, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Congressman Scott Rigell released the following statement:
"Our prayers are with our entire Hampton Roads and military communities right now as our first responders are admirably addressing the situation on the ground. I have spoken with Governor McDonnell, Mayor Sessoms, and leadership at Naval Air Station Oceana, and my office and I stand ready to assist as appropriate."
1:48 p.m. - One westbound lane of Interstate 264 has reopened at Laskin Road after the Naval jet crash. The American Red Cross is also responding to help those in need.
The Navy confirms to WAVY.com that an F/A-18D jet has crashed in Virginia Beach Friday afternoon.
Grazia Moyers, spokeswoman for the Virginia Beach Police Department, told WAVY.com just before 12:30 p.m. what police believe is a military aircraft went down.
Cmdr. Phil Rosi with Naval Air Forces Atlantic told WAVY.com the plane was an F/A-18D with Strike Fighter Squadron 106 that crashed just after noon right after takeoff. Rosi added two aircrew safely ejected from the plane that was based at Naval Air Station Oceana.
Sentara Healthcare says one pilot is at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time.
Moyer told WAVY.com officers were going door to door at the Mayfair Mews Apartments off of Fleming Drive in Virginia Beach to see if any residents are inside their homes.
Further information is not available at this time.
Police have responded to the scene at this time and will assist the military and the State Police, Moyer added.
Virginia State Police have shut down Interstate 264 at Laskin Road in both directions, Sgt. Anaya with the VSP said.
Virginia Department of Transportation traffic cameras showed thick, black smoke rising from the Birdneck Road area Friday afternoon around 12:30 p.m.
