An early-morning, single vehicle accident in Jefferson County has left the driver of the vehicle with life-threatening injuries, according to a fire department official on the scene south of Oskaloosa.

Jeremy Rodecap, fire chief for Jefferson County Fire District No. 3, said a male patient was taken to Kansas University Hospital via air ambulance after his vehicle left U.S. Highway 59, rolled over and caught on fire. Rodecap said the victim — whose identity has not yet been released — suffered life-threatening injuries.

Rodecap said the accident occurred about 4:30 a.m. on Monday, near 54th Street on U.S. Highway 59. The accident scene is about five miles south of Oskaloosa.

Rodecap said the stretch of U.S. Highway 59 was entirely closed to traffic while crews battled the fire and undertook rescue operations. A single lane of the roadway reopened after 6 a.m., and Rodecap said he expected traffic to be reduced to one lane until about 8 a.m. today.