HEIZER – K-96 was closed for around two hours Wednesday following a three-vehicle injury crash near Heizer.

According to Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir, Barton Count Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a location at NW 50 Ave. and K-96 near Heizer where emergency personnel were at a reported injury accident involving multiple motor vehicles, including a truck tractor and semi-trailer.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered a three vehicle accident,he said. Investigation at the scene indicated a 2020 Ford F-250 pickup truck operated by Kayden M. Calloway, 24, of Hoisington was northbound on NE 50 Avenue and failed to yield right-of-way while attempting to make a turn onto K-96. 

According to the investigation, 2010 Peterbilt truck tractor operated by Francis E. Mastel, 71 of Rantoul was westbound on K-96 and struck the Calloway vehicle. A third vehicle, a 2017 Ford F-150 operated by Craig Fischer, 66, of Ellinwood was eastbound on K-96 and went into the south ditch in an attempt to avoid the collision of the other two vehicles. 

The Fischer vehicle was struck by the Calloway vehicle when it overturned and rolled into the ditch.

Mastel and Calloway were transported to University of Kansas Health Systems - Great Bend Campus Bend with non-life-threatening injuries. Fischer was treated at the scene and released. 

The semi-trailer was loaded with 58 head of cattle and overturned during the collision, Bellendir said. Men and equipment were brought to the scene to assist in removing the cattle from the truck. K-96 was closed for approximately two and a half hours.

BCSO was assisted at the scene by the Great Bend Fire Department and EMS service and Kansas Department of Transportation.