Blue Angels jet crashes during air show
POSTED: 5:16 p.m. EDT, April 21, 2007
Story Highlights
• The show was taking place near Beaufort, South Carolina
• State trooper has unconfirmed word the pilot is alive
• No information available yet on other possible casualties
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(CNN) -- A jet flying in formation with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels precision flying team crashed Saturday during an air show near Beaufort, South Carolina, authorities said.

"I was told [the pilot] was alive, but I can't confirm that," a South Carolina state trooper speaking on condition of anonymity told CNN.

The officer said he and other state troopers were assisting the Marine Corps air station, which was putting on the show, by rerouting traffic around the crash site -- "which is said to not be around any houses -- so they can get the pilot out."

Several hospitals said they had received no casualties.

Eyewitness Gerald Popp said the six jets had been flying for about five minutes before one of them turned south, toward the Broad River.

"I saw him go down lower than the trees, and next I saw a big black, cloud of smoke," said Popp, who lives in Beaufort.

CNN meteorologists said the weather in Beaufort, which is near Savannah, was clear today.