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Two were injured in a four-vehicle collision on K-156
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A 1992 GMC Suburban rolled after being involved in the crash.
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Barton County Sheriff’s deputies at Great Bend Fire Department EMS respond to the scene of a four-vehicle collision last Thursday on K-156.

On Thursday afternoon, Oct. 6, at about 3:15 p.m., Barton County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a multi-vehicle crash on K-156 north of the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. Sheriff Brian Bellendir was on-scene quickly, directing traffic and evaluating the crash scene.

According to reports, four vehicles were involved in the crash after a car crossed the center line and collided with a semi-trailer.

 Investigation revealed that a 2014 Ford Focus driven by Daniel McHenry, 32, of Kanopolis, was traveling westbound on K-156 when, for an unknown reason, he crossed left of center, striking the eastbound tractor-trailer operated by Sarah Carson, 56, of Ensign. The Ford Focus impacted the tractor of the truck in the drive axles which caused blow-out of two tires. The truck continued eastbound until it stopped safely a little distance from the crash site. Carson and McHenry were not injured.

After the truck impact, the car driven by McHenry spun out of control and continued westbound, subsequently striking a 1992 GMC Suburban driven by Victor Swire, 65, of Bushton. Swire’s vehicle rolled one time and came to rest in the eastbound ditch. The Ford Focus impacted one more vehicle, a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse driven by Caitlin Radenberg, 31, of Claflin, before finally coming to rest in the eastbound ditch. Radenberg, as well as a two-week-old infant in her vehicle, were unharmed.

The driver of the Suburban, Victor Swire, as well as his passenger Jacqueline Swire, were both transported to The University of Kansas Health System Great Bend Campus for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening.

Further investigation by the Barton County Sheriff’s Office continues. The Sheriff’s office was assisted at the scene by the Great Bend Fire Department and EMS, the Claflin Fire and EMS service, the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Traffic was slowed and restricted in the area for about two hours while officers questioned witnesses, cleared the scene, and damaged vehicles were towed away.