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Great Bend man dies in ATV rollover crash
on the record

A 37-year-old Great Bend man died as a result of injuries sustained Saturday in an ATV rollover crash, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office reported Monday.

Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir said that the BCSO was notified of an accident reported at 5:09 p.m. near the Arkansas River diversion dam at 463 SW 60 Ave. just south of Dundee. Upon arrival, deputies located Wilbert Sanko, 37, Great Bend, as the driver who had sustained serious head injuries. 

On-scene investigation indicated that Sanko had been operating a 2014 Polaris Razor eastbound in the riverbed. The all-terrain vehicle went into a skid, causing it to overturn and pin Sanko underneath. 

Witnesses immediately began first aid measures until arrival of Great Bend Emergency Medical Service. Sanko was transported to University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus, where he later died.

A passenger on the vehicle, Cole Amick, 33, Great Bend, sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene but not transported. Neither occupant was wearing safety restraints at the time of the crash, Bellendir said.

The crash remains under investigation by the BCSO, which was assisted at the scene by Great Bend Fire/EMS and the Kansas Highway Patrol.