Military aircraft carrying four Marines bursts into flames, hard-lands in North Carolina: reports

A military aircraft carrying four Marines burst into flames in North Carolina Thursday morning, according to reports.

The Osprey ignited and hard-landed in the Bladen Lakes State Forest area during a training exercise, Bladen County Sheriff Jim McVicker told WECT.

Four Marines were aboard the aircraft — one of whom suffered burns and was rushed to a nearby clinic for treatment, White Lake Fire Chief Dale Brennan told the outlet.

Training exercises by the nearby Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune had been planned all week.

“On Oct. 8, personnel and visitors may notice increased exercise and emergency-response activity in the French Creek area … AVOID THIS AREA IF POSSIBLE, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m,” the base wrote on its website.

The Marines did not confirm what unit the Osprey was flying with, pending a forthcoming statement.

Brennan told the outlet the crew was from Camp Lejeune and that the three unscathed Marines are on their way back to base.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.