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14 March 2024
GREAT BEND, Kan. (KSNW) — 2 people were hurt in separate crashes near Great Bend Wednesday.
Great Bend Fire and EMS say the first accident happened shortly after 2:30 p.m. on Highway 56 at SW 80th Ave, southwest of Great Bend. When crews arrived they found a pickup truck on its roof and underneath a semi-truck trailer.
The Barton County Sheriff’s Office says the truck was turning right from westbound Highway 56 onto SW 80th Ave when the pickup truck struck the rear of the semi and slid underneath.
The pickup was then dragged underneath for several feet before the driver of the semi was able to stop. Great Bend Fire and EMS says the pickup truck driver was pinned inside and it took about 5 minutes to free him.
EMS took the Pawnee Rock man to KU Med Great Bend with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the semi was not hurt according to Sheriff Brian Bellindir.
Great Bend Fire and EMS says the second accident was reported around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 56 at SW 30th Ave near the airport. A semi-truck and pickup had collided nearly head-on.
A semi and pickup truck collision on Highway 56 near the Great Bend Airport March 13, 2024 (courtesy Great Bend Fire & EMS)
The department says everyone had gotten out of the vehicles when they arrived. EMS took one person to KU Med Great Bend for treatment.
Both vehicles had significant damage according to Barton County Fire and EMS. The Barton County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol investigated the crash.
No other injuries were reported.