Two motorists were flown to Via Christi Medical Center’s St. Francis Hospital in Wichita following two unrelated accidents Tuesday morning in Barton County.

According to a spokeswoman at Via Christi, Christopher Lee Fyler, 27, from Albert, was in critical condition Tuesday afternoon. Brad Turner, 39, from Holyrood, was listed in fair condition.

The Barton County Sheriff’s Office responded to both accidents. The first occurred at 8:15 a.m. Turner was driving a Peterbilt and collided with a Ford truck driven by Daniel McCullough, 26, from Vasser. Both vehicles were northbound on SW 110 Ave. McCullough was turning west onto SW 50 Road as Turner attempted to pass on the left. After striking the Ford truck, the Peterbilt traveled down the west ditch and up the embankment, coming to a stop in a field. The front-end loader that was being hauled on a trailer overturned in the ditch, still chained to the trailer.

Both drivers were initially taken to Great Bend Regional Hospital, where McCullough was treated and released. Great Bend and Pawnee Rock fire departments responded.

The second injury accident occurred at 9:54 a.m. on K-96. An International driven by Richard L. Meyer, 52, of Hartford, was traveling east and struck a Silverado pickup driven by Fyler. It is believed that Fyler was turning north onto NW 100 Ave.

Meyer was treated at the scene and did not appear to be injured. Fyler was trapped in his pickup for a short time, but was extricated and transported to GBRH by Great Bend Fire Department Ambulance. Albert Fire Department also assisted at the scene. Fyler was later transferred to St. Francis by LifeTeam air ambulance. The collision is still under investigation.

The BSCO reports all drivers were wearing seat belts.