BLACKWELL – Authorities responded to a personal injury collision that occurred at 8:11 a.m. Tuesday morning on State Highway 11, about 1/2 west of Blackwell and to the west of Interstate 35 in Kay County.
Mathew Farney, 41, of Blackwell was driving a 2007 Ford pickup eastbound on State Highway 11 when he departed the roadway to the right for an unknown reason and struck a culvert. Farney then re-entered his pickup into the roadway where he struck a 2013 GMC pickup travelling westbound, driven by Austin Herod, 27, of Medford.
Farney was pinned in his vehicle for approximately 15 minutes until extricated by the Blackwell Fire Department. Farney was then transported by Air Evac to Wesley Hospital in Wichita, Ks. where he was admitted in critical condition with head and trunk internal injuries. Herod was transported by Blackwell EMS to Blackwell Hospital in Blackwell where he was treated and released.
The cause of the collision was listed as inattention. Both drivers were apparently in normal condition. While both victims involved were wearing seatbelts, Farney’s airbags did not deploy.
The accident was investigated by Trooper Josh Kelle #493 of Troop K. Assisted by Blackwell Fire/EMS, Blackwell Police Dept, Kay County Sheriff’s Office and Air Evac.
