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CNN Live Saturday

Jet Crash Kills 70 at Ukrainian Air Show

Aired July 27, 2002 - 12:17   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: In western Ukraine, a deadly air show crash. A fighter jet fell from the sky killing at least 70 people and injuring dozens. The accident happened in Lviv, Ukraine. CNN's Jill Dougherty has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A large crowd was on hand for an air show near the city of Lviv, celebrating the 60th anniversary of a local Ukrainian air force unit. The twin engine Sukhoi 27 fighter jet came in low; its two ace pilots performing an intricate air maneuver.

Suddenly, something went wrong. The jet plummeted toward the ground. The pilots were able to eject, but scores of people watching, including children, were hit with jagged, flaming debris. The pilots survived, but many spectators died on the spot. Others were critically injured with burns, broken bones and skull fractures.

Rescue crews and ambulances took scores to area hospitals. Investigators rushed to the scene. Initial reports from the Ukrainian Emergency Ministry said the fighter jet may have clipped the tops of trees or the engine may have stalled, and then it spun out of control.

Jill Dougherty, CNN, Moscow.

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