Two critical in ATV crash south of Lawrence

Two people have been critically injured in an ATV crash in rural Douglas County.

A 22-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman were thrown from the ATV after it struck a deer, said Steve Lewis, public information officer for the Douglas Country Sherriff’s Office. Deputies were first to arrive on the scene and found both the man and woman unconscious.

The man was transported by ambulance to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. The woman was transported by ambulance to Kansas University Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas. Life Star and other medical helicopters were grounded due to the weather.

The man remains in critical condition, said Chris Hamele, spokesperson for Overland Park Regional Medical Center. The woman is in serious condition according to Lewis.

A driver found the ATV, on its side, in the middle of North 700 Road around 4:25 a.m. Saturday and called 911 for help. The crash occurred between East 1600 Road and East 1650 Road, near Vinland.

The scene is about two and a half miles north of Baldwin City and about five miles south of Lawrence.

Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical determined both of the injured people to be in critical condition. First responders from Baldwin City Fire and Lawrence Fire also responded.

Check back with this report and the Lawrence Journal-World for updates.

An Operation 100 News report.