Coastguards saves two as jet ditches in Minch 27/1/11
A RAF Tornado jet has crashed into the sea between the Shiants and the mainland.
The alarm was raised at 2.45pm after a fire broke onboard the jet.
Stornoway coastguard rescue helicopter -
The pilot and navigator from RAF Lossiemouth ejected from military jet and were floating in separate life rafts some six miles north west of Rubha Reidh lighthouse by Gairloch.
In two lifts, the coastguard crew winched the men into the helicopter and flew them to Raigmore hospital in Inverness landing around 2.50pm.
They are understood to have suffered leg injuries but are not seriously hurt.
It is understood the downed jet has sank. Portree and Stornoway lifeboats were at the scene but left around 5pm.
The Stornoway coastguard tug Anglian Earl, which was on patrol in the area, is at the crash site to pick up any debris from the crash and check if there is any pollution from leaking fuel.
She is guarding the sea area around the crash which has been declared a no shipping zone while investigations are undertaken.
The pilot radioed an emergency call and was heading for Stornoway airport before the plane crashed into the sea.
Police, two ambulances and two fire engines raced to the airport when the full scale emergency was called.
Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey is presently at RAF Lossiemouth station in a visit over the future of the Moray air bases.
It is understood the jet may have flown over Lewis villages just minutes earlier.
Residents in South Lochs say a low flying jet flew over the area shortly before the crash.